Gates launches new grants for math and literacy teaching

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FEBRUARY 18, 2010

TAMPA -- More school districts have joined Hillsborough County in the exclusive club of Gates winners.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced grants totaling $19.5 million to 15 school districts, education schools and nonrprofits to develop a new generation of assessments and tools for math and literacy teachers. Winners included districts in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, N.C.; Hamilton County, Tenn.; New York City; and Kentucky.

As it did in awarding $100 million to Hillsborough, the foundation said it hoped the investment would make teachers more effective and prepare all students for college-level studies or careers. It plans to make the new assessments "universally available" once it has refined them.

"Innovative and well-designed classroom assessments will provide vital feedback to help teachers target their instruction and prepare all students for success beyond high school,” said Vicki L. Phillips, the foundation's director of K-12 education programs, in a statement.

-- Tom Marshall, Times Staff Writer

Posted by Times education at 1:52:32 pm on February 18, 2010 in

Hillsborough County

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Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

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Rebecca Catalanello covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: rcatalanello@tampabay.com.

Tony Marrero covers Hernando County schools. E-mail him: tmarrero@tampabay.com.

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Ron Matus covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail him: matus@tampabay.com.

Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Pasco County schools. E-mail him: solochek@tampabay.com.

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