The sun shines on a statue outside of the governor's mansion of Virginia. Photo by: KJ Mushung

Institutions of higher education can begin submitting applications for $600,000 in the second round of Virginia College Partnership Laboratory School Planning Grants. Public and private institutions of higher education in Virginia, which operate a teacher education program approved by the Virginia Board of Education are eligible for the grants. T

The planning grants will enhance teacher education and training as part of the Gov. Bob McDonnell’s “Opportunity to Learn” agenda to improve K-12 education and will provide colleges and universities as well as local school divisions more flexibility, innovation and autonomy with the creation of Lab Schools. This flexibility will help ensure that students have the opportunity to attend a school that best fits their individual learning style, while learning from high quality teachers.

Secretary of Education Laura Fornash said, “This second round of planning grants is a continuation of our efforts to facilitate and expand innovative and evidence-based practices, programs and strategies which significantly improve K-12 achievement and improve teacher and school leader effectiveness. We hope the grants will help applicants identify tools that they can use and generate promising lab school partnership models.”

Grant materials are available beginning Aug. 30. The grant period for the 2012-2013 Virginia College Partnership Laboratory School Application Planning Grants will be from Feb. 1, 2013 to June 15, 2013.

In order to be considered for selection, applicants must submit a complete response. The application materials may be mailed, hand-delivered or commercially delivered to the following address. In addition, one copy of the proposal must be submitted via email to education1@governor.virginia.gov.

Physical and Mailing Address:
Secretary of Education Laura W. Fornash
Office of the Governor
Patrick Henry Building
1111 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Decisions about award amounts take into consideration a number of factors including the amount of available funds, the number of applications recommended for funding, and the amounts requested in the recommended applications. In the event that the total amount requested in the applications recommended for funding exceeds the total amount of available funding, awards will be adjusted to accommodate the difference.

For more information about the grants, visit: education.virginia.gov.

By: Contributing Author

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