The Skillman Foundation Named 'Friend of Education' by National Association of State Boards of Education

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Skillman Foundation, based in Detroit, MI is being honored with the National Association of State Boards of Education's (NASBE) Friend of Education Award. The national award is given annually to an individual or organization whose contributions to education are significant and enduring.

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"Schools and educators play important roles in helping children succeed, but students have significantly greater opportunities for success when families and community partners are involved," said NASBE Executive Director Jim Kohlmoos. "That includes the work of community partners like the Skillman Foundation, whose exemplary efforts in the name of helping develop good schools and strong neighborhoods in Detroit. Its grant-making program is facilitating change across that city, and for this work, we are proud to present the Skillman Foundation with our Friend of Education Award."

The Skillman Foundation has served students and the communities in which they live since 1960. The Foundation uses grants as its primary vehicle for improving schools and their environs, primarily through its Good Schools and Good Neighborhoods initiatives. The efforts across Metro-Detroit are driven by the goal of improving conditions so individual schools can be successful.

The neighborhood efforts use the groundwork of the citywide efforts to implement high-quality reforms in individual schools. In 2010, the Foundation awarded 101 schools in the city a total of $2 million as part of the Good Schools program. Those grants were applied toward a wide range of improvements, from professional learning opportunities for educators to expanding language programs and extracurricular activities.

Nominated by the Michigan State Board of Education, the award is being presented to the Foundation October 12 at NASBE's national conference in Chicago, IL.

The National Association of State Boards of Education represents America's state and territorial boards of education. NASBE exists to strengthen State Boards as the preeminent educational policymaking bodies for citizens and students. For more, visit www.nasbe.org.

SOURCE National Association of State Boards of Education