Each year, federal and state agencies announce funding opportunities to help districts and schools improve proficiency in mathematics in middle and high schools. Following these announcements, Carnegie Learning helps districts and schools access those funds to enhance their mathematics curricula and provide professional development for their staff. This help is offered through Carnegie Learning’s grant development services.
In recent years, many of these opportunities have cited concern for the inadequate mathematics skills of our graduating high-school seniors, and the growing shortage of qualified workers available for mathematics-related careers, as documented by the U.S. Department of Labor. These concerns have given funding priority to proposals that both increase achievement as well as increase interest in mathematics.
Following are brief introductions to some of the larger grant opportunities. Further information is available through the individual grant websites, and state and local program announcements. Carnegie Learning can also work with schools and districts to identify grant opportunities that support curricular improvements using Carnegie Learning products.
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
In January 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, which supports educational programs for schools and children most in need of academic improvement. Schools and school districts can apply for funding to improve mathematics achievement and integrate technology-based solutions into the classroom. Carnegie learning can be the proposed solution within these funding requests.
Most of the funding is based on formulas to the state; some is competitive. The following funds are generally available.
- Title I, Title IID, and Title V funding can be used to purchase Carnegie Learning mathematics curricula and professional development.
- Title IIA and Title IID funding can be used to support teacher training, with 25% of funds for Title IID allotted for this purpose.
- Title IV funding can be used to support after school and summer school programs.
Smaller Learning Communities
The Smaller Learning Communities initiative is a competitive federal program to help high schools undertake research-based strategies to develop, implement, and expand smaller clusters of learning within a larger school setting. These learning clusters may include career academies, intensive academic units, such as math, along with other creative restructuring and counseling. Carnegie Learning has been a successful partner to several of these initiatives. For further information, refer to http://www.ed.gov/print/programs/slcp.
Math Science Partnerships
The Math and Science Partnership program improves student performance in mathematics and science by providing opportunities to classroom teachers to increase content knowledge and teaching skills in these areas. Partnerships form between districts and the academic departments of institutions of higher education. Carnegie Learning is a strong addition to these partnerships.
Individual state awards are based on student population and poverty rates. For further information, refer to http://www.ed.gov/print/programs/mathsci/.
Private Funding Opportunities
Many private foundations are looking to partner with schools and vendors to provide solutions for low mathematics proficiency and achievement gaps targeting high-risk students and challenged learners in particular.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation partners with communities nationwide to help increase high-school graduation rates and help increase student achievement, especially in restructured, smaller high schools.
The Actuarial Foundation provides grants for mentoring programs using local actuaries. The purpose of the grants is to increase students’ math achievement and heighten interest in mathematics careers. Information is available from http://www.actuarialfoundation.org/grant/.
