Denver Public Schools was awarded approximately $4 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The foundation awarded a total of $25 million in education funding to be split among seven school districts in other cities nationwide that are "dedicated to bold collaboration between public charter and traditional schools."
From The Denver Post:
The grant "will allow us to bring a new and innovative model of professional learning to our teachers, principals and schools," said Superintendent Tom Boasberg.
Other cities that won some portion of the $25 million were: Boston; Hartford, Conn.; New Orleans; New York; Philadelphia and Spring Branch, Texas.
The cities were part of a group of 16 that signed District-Charter Collaboration Compacts, an initiative designed to incentivize collaboration between charter and public schools.
"The goal is to support these communities in significantly boosting the number of students enrolled in high-performing schools. These cities understand that opening the lines of communication and sharing best practices across schools are an effective way to do that," said Vicki Phillips, director of education, College Ready, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in a statement. "They have moved beyond the question of whether charters or district schools are better and are working together to benefit all students in these communities. These cities serve as models for what collaboration can do, and we applaud these local leaders for their commitment to advancing college readiness."
Over the next three years, Hartford will receive $5 million, Denver about $4 million and the other cities will receive $2-$3 million each.
Earlier this year, in August, the Gates Foundation awarded a $780,000 grant to CU-Boulder researchers for a "Reinvent the Toilet Challenge."
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