Low-achieving schools receive improvement grants

Transitioning from one curriculum to another is no easy task. For this reason, adopting the Common Core State Standards and aligning instruction with them was never going to be something that schools could accomplish quickly. However, the quality of education within a district certainly plays a role in how long it takes for educators to adapt to the CCSS.

This is why it is so important for low-achieving schools, which could struggle with the Common Core implementation process, to receive financial help that could ultimately improve students' academic performance. The U.S. Department of Education's School Improvement Grants (SIG) program provides just one way low-achieving institutions can help students.

Recently, the Department announced that three states have received a total of $5.2 million in continuation awards through the SIG program. Overall, $1.4 million will go to New Hampshire, $1.7 million will go to Hawaii and $2.1 million will go to Idaho.

"When schools fail, our children and our neighborhoods suffer," said U.S. secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "Turning around our lowest-performing schools is hard work but it's our responsibility. We owe it to our children, their families and the broader community. These School Improvement Grants are helping some of the lowest-achieving schools provide a better education for students who need it the most."