National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Commends ED's Selection of Charter School Innovators

Seven of 49 Innovation Grantees Support Existing and New Public Charter Schools

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools today released the following statement from president and CEO, Peter Groff. This statement is in response to the U.S. Department of Education announcement of 49 Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) grant award recipients:

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"The National Alliance commends the U.S. Department of Education in selecting seven organizations committed to high-quality public charter schools as Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) grant award winners. The i3 competition rewards only the most innovative programs with demonstrated success in raising academic achievement for students in low-performing schools, closing the achievement gap, decreasing dropout rates, and increasing high school graduation, college enrollment and college completion rates. That seven of 49 awards will support high-quality public charter schools shows clearly these innovative schools are successfully implementing the most sought-after education reforms.

"We look forward to supporting the Department of Education and these grant award recipients in their efforts to bring a better education to all students, particularly those in communities that need it most. High-quality public charter schools are leading the way in education reform because innovation and accountability for success are inherent to the very idea of public charter schools. The recognition and support of these awards will help ensure high-quality public charter schools continue to deliver excellent results for public school students. 

"A total of $650 million is available through the i3 grant awards with the largest awards going to those organizations most able to demonstrate prior success. Organizations supporting high-quality charter schools are represented under each of the three grant award categories showing that they are serving students in a variety of ways.

"The National Alliance congratulates the following winners and wishes them success in securing ongoing support for their work: KIPP Foundation awarded up to $50 million; New Schools for New Orleans awarded up to $30 million; Alliance for College Ready Schools awarded up to $5 million; AppleTree Institute for Education Innovation awarded up to $5 million; IDEA Public Schools awarded a up to $5 million; Los Angeles Public Schools 'L.A.'s Bold Competition -- Turning Around and Operating Its Low-Performing Schools' awarded a up to $5 million and will incorporate charters into its turn-around strategy; and the Achievement Network awarded up to $5 million."

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (http://www.publiccharters.org) is the national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. The Alliance works to increase the number of high-performing charter schools available to all families, particularly low-income and minority families who currently do not have access to quality public schools. The Alliance provides assistance to state charter school associations and resource centers, develops and advocates for improved public policies, and serves as the united voice for this large and diverse movement. More than 1.6 million students attend nearly 5,000 charter schools in 40 states and the District of Columbia.

SOURCE National Alliance for Public Charter Schools