The Louisiana Department of Education has been awarded nearly $20 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Education to develop and support new charter schools. The grant also has an option for an additional $5.8 million, based on the progress the state makes towards federal goals over the next two years. Paul Pastorek, the state superintendent of education, says the grants will help new charter schools during the crucial phases of development.
“President Barack Obama and his Department of Education have recognized Louisiana as a national leader in the charter school movement, and it makes our educators and students proud,” Pastorek says. A recent report from Stanford University found that Louisiana students in their second and third years in a charter school posted greater gains than their public school peers in reading and math. Read the full release here.
