NEW HAMPSHIRE TO RECEIVE $1.47 MILLION TO TURN AROUND LOWEST-ACHIEVING SCHOOLS

(Washington, D.C.) – New Hampshire will receive $1.47 million to assist its lowest-achieving schools through the School Improvement Grants (SIG) program, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) announced today.

The funds are part of $546 million available to states for the SIG program in fiscal year 2010. In fiscal year 2009, states received a total of $3.5 billion for the SIG program.

“As a former teacher, I am so proud of the education that New Hampshire offers its students,” Shaheen said. “Every student in New Hampshire deserves a great education and this grant will provide financial resources for those schools that need it most.”

“This is an incredible opportunity for schools in our state,” said New Hampshire Commissioner of Education Virginia Barry.  “Schools will be able to apply these funds to carry out their plans for education improvements, which will help students achieve at grade level.” 

"When a school continues to perform in the bottom 5 percent of the state and isn't showing signs of progress or has graduation rates below 60 percent over a number of years, something dramatic needs to be done," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "Turning around our worst-performing schools is difficult for everyone but it is critical that we show the courage to do the right thing by kids."

The $1.47 million made available to New Hampshire is being distributed by formula to the state and will then be competed out by the state to school districts.

School districts will apply to the state for the funds this spring.

New Hampshire’s application can be found here: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/sif/summary2010/index.html.