Learning, Inc.
$50,000 / 2006 / Education
For continued support of The Learning Cooperative, a dropout recovery/prevention program for at-risk middle school students in Baltimore City public schools. The cooperative provides an experiential education curriculum designed to prepare students for successful transition to high school, GED programming, or employment, by offering training in team-building, conflict-resolution, job readiness, community service, and life skills.
Baltimore Kids Chess League, Inc.
$38,376 / 2006 / Education
For expansion of the 2006-2007 Chess Education Project, an after-school program for elementary school students in 50 Baltimore City public schools. The long-term strategy is to increase the number of after-school chess clubs, provide chess instruction to teachers and coaches, sponsor chess activities in the community, and place Baltimore City students at competitive regional and national tournaments.
Maryland Public Policy Institute, Inc.
$13,000 / 2006 / Education
For a study on Maryland’s teacher pension program. The study will examine the current pension plan and the effectiveness of similar policies in other states, quantify the extent of the financial liability of the defined benefit pension, and recommend alternatives.
Baltimore Urban Debate League
$20,000 / 2006 / Education
For the development and implementation of a full-scale in-house monitoring and evaluation system to track the league’s ability to influence student outcomes. The study will document student achievement in debate, GPAs, attendance, interest in academic pursuits, incidence of negative behaviors, number of college applications and admissions, literacy, and critical thinking skills during the 2006-2007 school year. Results will be published in summer 2007.
National Center on Institutions and Alternatives
$15,000 / 2006 / Education
For the purchase of equipment and supplies for a new Warehousing Vocational Program serving students with severe mental disabilities at the NCIA Youth In Transition School. Youth In Transition will provide students whose needs cannot be met in a traditional public school setting with skills training, job opportunities, and internships for jobs in the warehouse/logistics field.