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Idaho schools to receive $12.6 million

| August 19, 2010 9:00 PM

Only area school on list to receive funds is Lakeside Elementary

Idaho's lowest achieving schools have a chance to receive additional federal funds to help them turn things around.

State Superintendent of Instruction Tom Luna announced this week that Idaho will receive $12.6 million for school improvement efforts during the next two years.

The U.S. Department of Education approved Idaho's application Monday for the additional School Improvement Grant program funds.

The funds are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

"As state superintendent, I have been looking for every source of revenue to help Idaho schools continue to improve student achievement in this tough economic time," Luna said. "The School Improvement Grant is an additional source we have identified and worked with the U.S. Department of Education to ensure it provides an effective plan for Idaho schools."

To receive the funds, Idaho had to identify "persistently lowest-achieving" schools in the state. These schools will take priority in receiving this funding.

Idaho identified 12 schools statewide, including Lakeside Elementary School in the Plummer-Worley District, the only area school on the list.

Each school identified as low achieving will have the opportunity to apply to the Idaho State Department of Education to receive these additional funds. Schools will be eligible to receive at least $50,000 and can apply for up to $2 million.

In Idaho, a persistently lowest-achieving school was identified as a school that has persistently struggled to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) under No Child Left Behind, or a secondary school that is eligible to receive federal Title I funding for low-income students but is not currently receiving those funds.

Schools will be able to use this additional funding on school improvement efforts, such as professional development for teachers, instructional coaches for staff, new curricular materials, or extended learning time for students after school or in the summer.

If funds remain after the 12 schools identified have been fully funded under this grant, other schools in Idaho that have not met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) under No Child Left Behind are eligible to apply for funding.