INDIANAPOLIS — Perry Township Schools is getting $2.5 million from the U.S. Department of Education. The money is meant to help increase educator compensation and promote educator diversity. District leaders told 13News they'll get a total of $6 million over the next three years.
The grant to Perry Township Schools is part of nearly $115 million going to support 29 teacher and school leader incentive projects.
The grant money will also help support career advancement and teacher leadership opportunities, increase compensation, and improve educator retention.
"All students benefit from a diverse and well-supported educator workforce that can prepare them to lead," said Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Education. "While all students benefit from diverse teachers, when students of color see their backgrounds and experiences reflected in their teachers, we see higher levels of academic achievement and student engagement in school, and more students aspiring to be teachers themselves one day."
The Department of Education said staffing challenges disproportionately impact Black and Latino students, students from low-income backgrounds, students with disabilities and English learners.
Here is the full list of districts receiving grants:
- Alaska Council of School Administrators – AK – $2,567,300
- Cross County School District – AR – $747,426
- Arkansas Public School Resource Center, Inc. – AR – $5,756,874
- Maricopa County Education Service Agency – AZ – $2,717,803
- National Institute for Excellence in Teaching – AZ – $4,609,288
- Tulare County Office of Education – CA – $3,076,871
- Lindsay Unified School District – CA – $3,141,000
- Teaching Lab – DC – $6,521,067
- United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida – FL – $2,021,734
- Cahokia Unit School District 187 – IL – $3,292,305
- Perry Township Schools – IN – $2,521,025
- Natchitoches Parish School District – LA – $4,078,402
- Community Training and Assistance Center, Incorporated – MA – $3,795,153
- International Academy of Flint – MI – $437,118
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools – NC – $2,826,328
- The Innovation Project (TIP) – NC – $8,330,115
- Wake County Public School System – NC – $4,579,709
- Montgomery County Schools – NC – $8,269,050
- National Ctr for Hebrew Language Charter School Excellence – NY – $1,439,417
- Hyde Leadership Charter School-Brooklyn – NY – $520,416
- Mastery Charter High School – PA – $3,623,357
- Providence Public School System – RI – $3,033,220
- Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation – SC – $9,920,927
- Laurens County School District 55 – SC – $4,220,137
- Center for Strategic Leadership and Organizational Coherence – TN – $9,769,972
- LEAD Public Schools – TN – $4,767,842
- Region 18 Education Service Center – TX – $3,042,521
- Harmony Public Schools – TX – $4,384,201
- Winona Independent School District – TX – $750,527