NWEA Grant Program that Helps Foster Academic Growth of Underserved Students Now Accepting Applications

Educators for Equity Grant Program to award grants of up to $10,000 to help close the opportunity gaps that affect PreK-12 student achievement

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NWEA

Mar 03, 2020, 08:00 ET

PORTLAND, Ore., March 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- NWEA, the not-for-profit educational assessment provider, opened applications for its Educators for Equity Grant Program, an initiative to help schools move the needle for preK-12 students who face systemic barriers to academic opportunities. The program awards grants of up to $10,000 each to schools, districts and nonprofit organizations to fund programs that support the academic development of underserved students.

This is the second year that NWEA has hosted the Educators for Equity Grant Program. In 2019, the organization awarded five grants ranging from $4,500 to $10,000 each to educational organization across the nation including: Fresno School of Missions (Fresno, California); TechBoston Academy (Boston, Massachusetts); International High School of New Orleans (New Orleans, Louisiana); East High School (Madison, Wisconsin); and Battleground Elementary School (Lincolnton, North Carolina). Two hundred eighty preK-12 U.S. educators applied for the grant in 2019.

2019 recipient Casey Andrews, an English teacher at TechBoston Academy, said the grant was a solution to sustain a unique field trip for her students to visit the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama. "I work at a school where the students are predominantly of color and almost 100 percent low income," said Casey. "I feel it's our responsibility to make sure these students have access to as many opportunities as their wealthier, whiter peers in other areas who are going on numerous school trips. Creating these opportunities is part of my work as an equitable educator." The NWEA grant helped ensure that Casey's students did not miss out on this meaningful learning experience.

"Our goal is provide much needed funding where it counts the most — in the hands of high-quality educators, like Casey Andrews, that drive educational opportunities and outcomes," said Chris Minnich, CEO of NWEA. "We stand in support of these incredible people and their work to foster equity so all children have the opportunity to graduate with choices to further their academic growth and career potential."

To be eligible for the grant, applicants must be a U.S. school serving students from pre-K through 12th grade, and be either a public school or a non-profit organization. Applications are evaluated on the extent to which the grant award will benefit students who face systemic barriers to academic opportunities, including students who identify as Black or African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, or Asian/Pacific Islander; students learning English and speaking a language other than English fluently; and students experiencing economic disadvantage. In addition, programs will be evaluated based on evidence base, equity mission, cultural relevance, and academic focus. Use of NWEA products or services is not required for eligibility and will not be considered when selecting grant recipients.

Deadline to apply is May 15, 2020. Recipients will be selected and notified by August 2020.

For more information on the NWEA Educators for Equity Grant program or to apply, visit nwea.org/equitygrant.

About NWEA

NWEA^® is a mission-driven, not-for-profit organization that supports students and educators worldwide by creating assessment solutions that precisely measure growth and proficiency—and provide insights to help tailor instruction. Educators in more than 10,000 schools, districts, and education agencies in 141 countries rely on our flagship interim assessment, MAP^® Growth™; our progress monitoring and skills mastery tool, MAP^® Skills™; our reading fluency and comprehension assessment, MAP^® Reading Fluency™; and our new assessment solution that combines growth and proficiency measurement. Visit NWEA.org to find out how NWEA can partner with you to help all kids learn.