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The Education Alliance’s first
20 years are characterized by three results: 1. Significant improvement in
resources for education. The founding of The Education Alliance was a
direct response to low student achievement in West Virginia’s public
schools and the seminal report, A Nation At Risk. With sustained, generous
financial support from foundation and business partners, the Alliance
quickly addressed the inadequacy of resources for teachers and schools
through Mini-Grants for Classroom Projects, Partnerships in Education,
Family Involvement grants and Read Aloud West Virginia programs. As a
result, the Alliance has:
Awarded more than 4,000 grants totaling over $1 million.
Created 2,300
business-school partnerships.
Improved
listening, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension skills by training more
than 6,000 volunteers who have read to 100,000 students.
Enhanced the
connection between schools and community by creating thousands of
business/community mentors, curriculum advisors and role models.
2. Research-based policy influence. Research initiatives were
undertaken that have influenced public education and provided a basis for
the Alliance’s initial foray into policy. As a result, the Alliance has:
Produced credible information for those seeking to improve public
education.
Raised public
awareness and increased public discussion of policy issues.
Influenced SB
300 and other statutes and policies to implement more challenging
instructional goals and better career preparation.
Achieved
stronger collaboration and trust among the business, community and
education sectors – especially at school and county levels.
3. Earned respect and capacity. Throughout the state, the Alliance has
achieved a solid reputation. As a result, it has:
Garnered a $550,000 Public Education Network grant to improve student
success by fostering community responsibility for the quality of teaching.
Become a
credible information/policy recommendation resource for public officials,
the media and task forces.
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