WASHINGTON
– U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and
Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD)
today announced Montgomery County Public Schools has been awarded a nearly $5 million grant through the Investing in Innovation Development Grants Program. The grant will support an effort to develop an elementary curriculum that guides children toward college readiness.

“This funding will allow for the development of a new, innovative curriculum and teacher training that will help improve student achievement in Montgomery County Public Schools,”
Senator Cardin said.  “Montgomery County students are already among the top performers in Maryland and this funding will ensure continued student success with the goal of preparing our youngsters for college.”

 “This grant is an important step to making sure our teachers are well trained and our children are better prepared for college,”
Senator Mikulski said. “I am so proud that Montgomery County will be able to use these funds to continue to develop and grow. We must continue to fight to make sure no child is left out or left behind.”

The Investing in Innovation Development Grants Program provides competitive grants to expand innovative practices that have been shown to improve student achievement, help close the achievement gap, decrease dropout rates, increase high school graduation rates or increase college enrollment and completion rates.

Montgomery County Public Schools, in partnership with Pearson LLC, will use the grant to develop a curriculum and online professional learning community as part of an elementary instruction program called Project North Star. The project includes developing a unique college-ready elementary curriculum. When fully implemented, the project will reach 500,000 students and be standardized for use in other school districts across the country.