Dr. Appu Kuttan, Chairman of the National Education Foundation (NEF),
CyberLearning, the nonprofit leader in bridging the digital and academic
divides, announced today a nationwide $40 million matching grant
initiative for schools.
With most states awash in red ink and with at least nine states
proposing to cut K-12 education funds, NEF is working to leverage a $400
million dollar U.S. Treasury program that permits the states to allow
school districts to borrow money at zero interest to support the
critical needs of disadvantaged schools — the
most vulnerable group in the current fiscal crisis.
This Federal program is known as Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB).
NEF has teamed up with banks to make it possible for all eligible
schools -- those with 35% of students on free or reduced lunch -- to
receive QZAB funds for renovation, equipment, curriculum, professional
development, etc. NEF also donates the 10% match required, and helps to
build a world class CyberLearning Academy that enables students to
acquire key 21st Century workforce skills.
NEF CyberLearning’s 3,000 high quality K-12
online courses are particularly focused on the critical STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, Math) skills to help address a mounting
education crisis. NEF’s QZAB CyberLearning
Academies also provide teacher training, technical support, 24/7 live
mentors, teacher stipends, student rewards (iPods) and parent
recognition, thus offering a complete solution with proven increases in
student scores.
NEF President Dr. Appu Kuttan argues, “Our
students desperately need help to compete with their counterparts in
India, China, Europe, etc. for the 21st Century
jobs. We are already 25th out of 40 countries in
math skills of 15-year olds! For us to maintain our technology and
economic leadership, we must help our disadvantaged students now! Our
vision embraces the good intentions of the President but with a
practical real world strategy to educate better our disadvantaged
students.”
“NEF gave us 10% match, helped us to receive
$8 million in QZAB funds at zero interest and set up a QZAB Academy that
has increased student math and technology scores by 25-50% every
semester,” so states Camella Mouton of the St.
Landry School District in Louisiana.
QZAB matching grants are provided on a first-come, first-served
basis. To apply for the grant, just visit www.qzab.org
and click on your state.
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