Seven Central Mass Schools awarded grants to become Innovation Schools
Wednesday, August 08, 2012
Plans for these Innovation Schools received approval from local school committees and will be implemented in communities statewide beginning this fall.
"These schools will provide expanded and improved educational opportunities for Massachusetts students," said Governor Deval Patrick. "This robust and diverse group of schools demonstrates what can be achieved when local school communities are given the flexibility to be creative in their approach to improving education for students."
“As we work towards closing the achievement gap, our Innovation Schools provide a model that offers school administrators, teachers and parents the tools and flexibility they need to ensure students receive a world-class education," said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray. "Building on the success of implementation grants awarded last year, today’s award will support planning efforts and creativity in more schools across the state.”
How Innovation Schools Work
Innovation Schools are in-district, public schools that employ inventive strategies and creative approaches to education to accelerate student achievement while keeping school funding within districts. Innovation Schools can utilize greater autonomy and flexibility with regard to curriculum, staffing, budget, schedule/calendar, professional development and district policies.
Local schools that were awarded grants are:
• Leominster Center for Excellence, Leominster, $25,000
• Auburn Middle School, Auburn, $25,000
• McKay/ FAAS PreK-8 Pathways Innovation School, Fitchburg, $35,000
• Worcester Technical STEM Early College High School, Worcester, $40,000
• Academy of Science, Health and Technology at Worcester East Middle School, Worcester, $25,000
• Lincoln Street Early Literacy/Content Literacy, Cradle to College/Career Ready innovation School, Worcester, $25,000
• Center for Technical Education Innovation, Leominster, $25,000
“This funding will help ensure the continued development of excellent new Innovation Schools statewide so that all students have access to the instruction and support we know they need to be successful students and lifelong learners,” said Education Secretary Paul Reville.
Grant Funded
Funding for these implementation grants was made available as part of a total of $2 million in support from the state's successful Race to the Top proposal and additional support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Schools receiving implementation grants include elementary, middle and high schools from across the state that have taken advantage of the autonomy and flexibility that Innovation Schools offer by extending learning time for students, providing alternative pathways to college and career readiness, empowering teachers through differentiated teacher roles in school leadership, creating STEM focused curriculum, instituting dual language programs, offering hybrid virtual programs and individualizing curriculum and instruction for students.
For more information about Innovation Schools, please visit www.mass.gov/edu/innovationschools.
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