Charter school is one of 81 to receive portion of $14.6 million
grant
Charter school is one of 81 to receive portion of $14.6 million grant
n By Heather Bremner Staff Writer
Gilroy – The charter school here can now throw some more cash into its literacy program coffer thanks to a substantial federal grant.
On Tuesday, the state announced that the Mexican American Community Services Agency El Portal Leadership Academy is one of 81 California schools set to receive a portion of the $14.6 million William F. Goodling Even Start Family Literacy Program grants.
El Portal will receive $172,500 in grant money. Although the charter school already had an active Even Start program in place, this grant money will be used by a network of community organizations.
“This is pretty monumental in the sense that it’s definitely involving more partners,” said El Portal Principal Noemi Reyes.
The Even Start program – funded by the federal No Child Left Behind Act – is designed to break the cycle of poverty by providing academic programs for parents and young children. The program includes early childhood, adult and parenting education and interactive literacy activities.
William F. Goodling – the program namesake – served as the original congressional sponsor and advocate of Even Start. Grants are awarded to higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations and local education agencies.
This year priority was given to sites that continue to meet their performance targets on standardized tests. Awards ranged from $120,750 to $276,000.
