Dive Summary:
- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has donated a total of $25 million in grants to seven school districts in Philadelphia, Boston, Denver, New Orleans, New York, Hartford, Conn. and Spring Branch, Texas.
- The money will be used to nurture collaboration between school districts and charter schools, including universal enrollment systems, leadership training and joint professional development.
- Hartford will receive almost $5 million, Denver will receive approximately $4 million and the rest of the districts will receive between $2.2 and $3.7 million each.
From the article:
"... Charter schools, which are publicly funded but operate independently of school districts, have been a lightning rod in the debate over education reform. Supporters say they provide innovative and sometimes safer alternatives to traditional neighborhood schools. Opponents contend they drain resources from school districts without providing a better education.
The seven grant recipients are among 16 communities that entered into compacts designed to reduce tension between districts and charters. By signing the agreements, which entail sharing resources and best practices, districts received $100,000 and qualified for further funding. ..."