12 School Districts included in Safe and Supportive School Grant
Governor Chet Culver announced that Iowa will receive nearly $3.5 million in federal funds this year, and stands to receive nearly $14 million over the next four years, to support efforts that will help ensure all Iowa students attend and learn in a safe school.
“This is a significant investment in our students to help support their success in school so that they can realize future success in college and their careers,” said Culver. “Creating schools that are safe for all students is a fundamental part of making sure every child gets the best possible education.”
Iowa is one of 11 states to be awarded Safe and Supportive School (S3) grants by the U.S. Department of Education. The grant is used to measure school safety at the building level, and provide for interventions in those schools with the greatest needs. The ultimate goal of the grant is create and support safe and drug-free learning environments, and increase academic success for students at high-risk high schools.
Iowa was approved to receive $3,477,752 this year and stands to receive a total of $13,911,008 over the next four years. The funds will be used at targeted high schools across the state to support programs as well as create a publicly available School Safety Score.
“These funds will help Iowa not only implement efforts to improve school safety, it will allow us to get feedback directly from students, teachers and parents so we know what is or is not working as we address this issue,” said Kevin Fangman, acting director of the Iowa Department of Education. “In addition, we will be able to provide the public with a better understanding of both the challenges and successes within our schools.”
In Iowa, the funds will be used to create and support safe and drug-free learning environments to increase academic success for students in targeted high schools. Grant activities will include the assessment of conditions for learning within individual schools. Surveys of students, staff and parents will measure school safety, engagement, and the school’s environment. These results will be used to develop School Safety Scores which will be publicly posted. Using this information, the Iowa Department of Education and other state agency partners will work in collaboration with participating schools to improve the learning environment within schools facing the biggest challenges.
School districts included in the grant proposal are:
- Cardinal
- Cedar Rapids
- Columbus
- Council Bluffs
- Davenport
- Des Moines
- Dubuque
- East Greene
- Louisa-Muscatine
- Olin
- Sioux City
- Waterloo
2010-10-07