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Southbridge schools to receive additional funding for Expanded Learning Time initiative
June 16, 2008 ... Sen. Richard T. Moore, D – Uxbridge, has announced that West Street School and Wells School of Southbridge will both be given additional funding for the state’s Expanded Learning Time (ELT) initiative, pending approval of the state budget. The schools were chosen out of a pool of 37 applications, 27 of which met the guidelines for funding, and eight of which were ultimately granted approval for funding. "These grants are a genuine booster shot for improving the quality of education for the children of Southbridge,” said Sen. Moore. “I am happy to have played a small role in advocating for this grant and for funding, but the real credit goes to the Southbridge educators who prepared the grant and to all who will help to implement it. Combined with our successful efforts to provide grant funding for at risk youth, for the community center, and for reducing teen pregnancy, the Legislature is providing significant resources for a strong educational experience in the community." Schools implementing ELT are required to redesign their school calendar by adding at least 300 hours to their school year as a strategy to raise student achievement. This is the third year of the initiative, and 18 schools in eight districts are currently utilizing the longer school day and/or year model. Schools that are granted the funding receive $1,300 per student based on their projected enrollments. Notification of the Southbridge recommendations was made prior to the close of school to inform the community of the likely changes in the fall. Once the FY09 budget is finalized and signed by the Governor, the recommendations will be acted upon. |
