24 Of Michigan's Lowest Achieving Schools To Get Federal Grants

LANSING (WWJ) – Twenty-four of Michigan's lowest achieving schools have been awarded federal School Improvement Grant funds to help them increase student achievement and improve teaching and learning for all students, the Michigan Department of Education announced Monday.

This is the second round of federal School Improvement Grant (SIG) awards, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The first round was awarded to 28 schools in August, 2010.

"These federal funds will enable 24 schools across the state to improve student achievement and prepare their students for the employment demands of the 21st Century," said Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan.

Eligible school districts had to submit a detailed school improvement plan using one of four improvement models required by the U.S. Department of Education.

SIG funds must be used to provide federal Title I allowable school programming and activities.

The schools receiving grants will begin implementation of the program plans this fall and have three years to use the funds.

There were four federally required school improvement models from which the schools had to select: Transformation Model, Turnaround Model, Restart Model or the Close/Consolidate Model. The models are outlined below:

Transformation Model – Districts would address four specific areas: 1) developing teacher and school leader effectiveness, which includes replacing the principal who led the school prior to commencement of the transformation model; 2) implementing comprehensive instructional reform strategies; 3) extending learning and teacher planning time and creating community-oriented schools; and 4) providing operating flexibility and sustained support.

Turnaround Model – This would include among other actions, replacing the principal and at least 50 percent of the school's staff, adopting a new governance structure and implementing a new or revised instructional program.

Restart Model – School districts would close the school and reopen it under the management of a charter school operator; a charter management organization; or an educational management organization selected through a rigorous review process. A restart school would be required to enroll, within the grades it serves, any former student who wishes to attend.

Close/Consolidate Model – The district would close the low-achieving school and enroll the students who attended that school in other high-achieving schools in the district.

Below is the list of districts and schools which are receiving the federal funds with a one year  amount and three-year amount of money which will be distributed.

Albion Public Schools
Albion High School
$   888,979
$2,666,937

City of Harper Woods Schools
Harper Woods High School
$1,326,227
$3,978,683

Detroit City School District
Bethune Academy
$2,000,000
$6,000,000

Detroit City School District
Burns Elementary School
$1,966,937
$5,900,811

Detroit City School District
Central High School
$1,051,799
$3,155,397

Detroit City School District
Crockett High School
$1,797,186
$5,391,558

Detroit City School District
A.L. Holmes  Elementary School
$   952,788
$2,858,364

Detroit City School District
King High School
$1,849,677
$5,549,031

Detroit City School District
Mumford High School
$1,626,262
$4,878,786

Detroit City School District
Murphy Elementary-Middle School
$1,124,334
$3,373,002

Detroit City School District
Pershing High School
$1,929,375
$5,788,125

Detroit City School District
Schulze Elementary School
$1,678,677
$5,036,031

Detroit City School District
Brenda Scott Middle School
$1,888,887
$5,666,661

Detroit City School District
Western International High School
$1,242,576
$3,727,728

Flint City School District
Northwestern High School
$1,034,512
$3,103,536

Highland Park City Schools
Highland Park Community H.S.
$   659,235
$1,977,705

Kalamazoo Public School District
Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts
$1,355,656
$4,066,968

Kalamazoo Public School District
Milwood Middle School
$1,470,720
$4,412,160

Lincoln Park Public Schools
Lincoln Park Middle School
$   921,041
$2,763,123

River Rouge School District
River Rouge Middle College High School Academy
$2,000,000
$6,000,000

Roseville Community Schools
Eastland Middle School
$   354,196
$1,062,588

Roseville Community Schools
Roseville Middle School
$   293,849
$   881,547

Saginaw City School District
Ruben Daniels Middle School
$1,268,631
$3,805,893

Waverly Community Schools
Waverly Middle School
$1,467,412
$4,402,236

This is the second round of federal awards, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The first round was awarded to 28 schools last August.