Last week, the U.S. Department of Education announced that 11 states will be awarded School Improvement Grants (SIG) to continue efforts to turn around schools that are consistently low-performing and underachieving. SIG funding is awarded to State Educational Agencies that then offer competitive subgrants to local school districts that demonstrate the greatest need for resources and commitment to increase educational attainment and increase academic performance. Since 2009, SIG grants have helped efforts to turnaround more than 1,300 of the lowest-performing schools in the nation. The states awarded SIG funds in this latest round include: Connecticut, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah and West Virginia. According to the announcement, these states will together receive funds totaling roughly $70 million.

Links: Press Release