Past Grants

Core Knowledge Foundation

For continued implementation of the five-year demonstration project of the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence in all Baltimore County Head Start Centers. The professional development and provision of resource and training materials in literacy, math, science, social skills, music, and art are intended to improve the quality of students’ achievement and increase the percentage of Head Start students deemed ready for kindergarten.

Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University

Continued support of the Music Teacher Mentoring Program for newly hired Baltimore City public elementary and middle school teachers for the 2005-2006 school year. The weekly program has been designed to upgrade classroom techniques and strategies by providing demonstrations, workshops, videotaping, and coaching. The purpose of the program is to support newly hired teachers by implementing enhanced music curricula that meet state and national standards, and to increase the retention rate of music teachers.

Advocates for Children and Youth

For the Education Initiative, designed to support increased student achievement in Maryland K-12 public schools, with an emphasis on Baltimore City. The efforts will help to ensure full funding of the Maryland’s Bridge to Excellence in Public Education Act, designed to make recommendations for school construction funding, provide analysis of Maryland’s State Assessment Program, and produce an independent evaluation of the impact of Thornton public education funds on at-risk students in Baltimore City.

Educational Opportunity Program

To provide two facilitators to mentor 50 students each at the two new Southwestern High Schools; and for support of a third facilitator with responsibility for increasing the high school graduation rate of students from the former Baraka School.

The Piney Woods School

For continuing support to provide scholarships at a boarding school in Mississippi for selected underachieving, at-risk male students from Baltimore City for the 2005-2006 school year. The grant includes funding for a counselor to encourage positive attitudes, appropriate social behavior, and academic achievement.