For Immediate Release
July 20, 2004
ISBE awards 21st Century Grants to
help close achievement gap
(Springfield, Ill.) - The Illinois State Board of Education
released a list of 45 school organizations and education
partners that will receive 21st Century Grants worth more
than $80 million dollars over the next five years.
"There are plenty of people who like to focus on
what's wrong with education, and many of those same people
say that it's high time we close the achievement gap,"
Schiller said. "Everyday for the past two years schools
throughout Illinois have been fortunate to use these do
just that.
"Since its inception, 21st Century Grants have driven
academic performance among student populations, who because
of these programs have been given the extra support that
they need to start on a pathway to becoming a lifelong
learners."
Awardees received notification last week of this year's
grants from the approximately $16.8 million made available
for FY05. This year's round of grants were awarded to
45 out of 59 applicants and will provide programming for
130 schools in 35 districts across Illinois. The five-year
renewable grants will be fully funded for the first three
years, but will gradually be decreased in the last two
years, first being cut by 10 percent and then 25 percent.
"We have seen the positive benefits that these types
of grants and programs have on students across the state,"
Schiller said. "After school programs provide the
added tutoring and support that students need to succeed
during regular school hours."
The grants can also be used for youth development activities,
drug and violence prevention programs, technology education
programs, art, music, recreation programs, counseling
and character education to enhance student learning.
Public schools, public university laboratory schools,
charter schools, area vocational centers, community-based
organizations, including faith-based organizations and
public or private entities are eligible to apply for the
competitive grants. Regional Offices of Education or Intermediate
Service Centers also may apply for funding to coordinate
and carry out activities for agencies.
For a listing of all recipients (except Chicago) please
go to: http://www.isbe.net/21cclc/pdf/21st_century_recipients.pdf
For a listing of Chicago organizations that will serve
CPS, please go to:
http://www.isbe.net/21cclc/pdf/21st_century_cps_recipients.pdf
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