Local Schools Net Millions in Grants

Two of nine Georgia school districts representing a total of 63 schools and centers, and are recipients of Striving Reader Comprehensive Literacy grants, State School Superintendent John Barge announced today.

Portions of nearly $25 million in federal funding will allow the schools to develop literacy plans to better .

The new standards, along with the state's successful waiver of No Child Left Behind requirements, is aimed at improving students’ college and career readiness. Measures will capture the extent to which schools, school districts and the state progress on indicators such as content mastery, student attendance and the next level of preparation.

The funds also will assist schools in leveraging print and technology resources for student instruction and engagement; provide teachers with professional learning based on individual needs; foster implementation of research-based models of instruction; and provide useful student assessments, the press release said.

Bartow gets 20 percent of a total $4 million grant, about $800,000, as start-up funding. A smaller system, Cartersville is slated for nearly $500,000 of a $2.5 million grant in start-up funding.

“I offer my sincere congratulations to these school districts for receiving a Striving Reader Comprehensive Literacy Grant," Barge said in the release. "These grants will provide funding necessary for schools to build literacy plans for their students.

"Research is clear that students who are reading on grade level, especially after third grade, will be more likely to graduate from high school and be prepared for college and careers."

Local schools impacted by the grant are:

• Clear Creek Elementary
• Emerson Elementary
• Kingston Elementary
• South Central Middle

Fulton, Clarke, Jeff Davis, Morgan, Jefferson and Brantley counties and Rome's city schools also received funding.