National Council on Teacher Quality
$15,700 / 2012 / Education
For support of the annual Teacher Prep Review, which will be published in U.S. News and World Report. The review will cover 800 teacher education programs in the U.S., including analyses and ratings for 20 schools in Maryland. The objective of the review is to create a communications strategy that demonstrates ratings are credible, fair, and accurate, and can provide useful information to advocacy groups working for change in state legislatures and school boards.
Calvert Educational Services
$5,000 / 2011 / Education
For the implementation of the Verticy Learning Program, a phonics and spelling curriculum at Abbottson Elementary School.
Johns Hopkins University – Center for Social Organization of Schools
$114,948 / 2011 / Education
For support of the Baltimore Education Research Consortium (BERC) core research program, and for continued work on College Access for Baltimore City students. Research includes analysis of college retention rates for graduates of city schools, and an evaluation of the CollegeBound College Retention Program. Forthcoming research topics will include: Understanding Under-Credited Students and Credit Recovery, Teacher Pipeline and Pathways, Best Practices for City School Attendance, Access to Higher Education, and Boys Thriving in Baltimore Schools.
Ultimate Block Party, Inc.
$5,000 / 2011 / Education
Toward support of the Ultimate Block Party, a family day with learning activities for students in Baltimore City public schools. Inspired by supportive research, the organization is committed to raising awareness of the importance of play and play-based activities in children’s development and education.
ACLU Foundation of Maryland, Inc.
$50,000 / 2011 / Education
For continued support of the Baltimore City Education Reform Project, designed to ensure that schools serving disadvantaged students receive equal funding and resources. This agenda calls for advocating expansion of pre-kindergarten for low-income students, alternative strategies for suspension, improvement of teacher quality, protection of funding levels, retention of state responsibility for the cost of teacher pensions, increased levels of participation in free and reduced-price meals, adoption of a bully policy, and mobilization of parents.