On Monday, officials of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation announced a new partnership with Battle Creek Public Schools to help better prepare students in the district for careers in science, technology, health care and education. But the partnership isn’t just about the students, the funds are expected to help offer teachers additional support and career pathways. Here is Arelis Diaz from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
“So this is going to be a $15.5 million dollar investment.”
The partnership is a result of a study conducted New York University that found that students of color and students experiencing poverty are the least well served by schools in the Battle Creek region.
“And it revealed once it was completed that there was incredibly disparities between the children of Battle Creek Public Schools and the other surrounding districts.”
For Kimberly Carter from Battle Creek Public Schools says that students who are at risk for failure need additional resources and this grant will be able to provide that for the students.
“So this is a multi-faceted, five year strategic plan that’s aimed at improving academic achievement, increasing enrollment, and also retaining and recruiting high quality staff.”
This would be the second time in the last two years that the W.K. Kellogg Foundations awards a a grant to the Battle School Public Schools. In 2017, the public school district received a $51 million dollar grant to enhance education, and address racial and economic disparities in the district.
Michelle Jokisch Polo, WGVU News.