Posted on August 21, 2003

KnowledgeWorks Foundation Awards $6 Million to Transform Six Urban High Schools

The Cincinnati-based KnowledgeWorks Foundation has announced grants totaling $6 million to six urban high schools in Ohio to implement plans to transform themselves into nineteen smaller, more personalized and effective schools.

In addition to changing the size of a school, the grant criteria requires districts to make fundamental improvements in teaching and learning by incorporating high-quality instruction, rigorous curriculum, high expectation for all students, and deep community involvement in the lives of the students and the school. The new schools are expected to open in fall 2004.

"We cannot continue to run high schools as we have in the past if we want different results for all our students," said Dr. Susan T. Zelman, Ohio's superintendent for public instruction. "School size is one important component of these new schools. To improve student achievement, these schools additionally must have high, clear academic standards, stimulating curriculum, and caring, competent teachers."