10/1/2008
Washington, D.C.
News

REYES ANNOUCES $749,196 FEDERAL GRANT FOR EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

 WASHINGTON, D.C.- Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-El Paso) today announced that the Department of Education's Advanced Placement Incentive Program has awarded $749,196 to the El Paso Independent School District.  The funds will support tutoring and teacher development programs at 11 high schools to increase the number of low-income students who successfully complete Advanced Placement courses. 

"Only 12 percent of Hispanics have a college degree, lower than all other population groups in the United States," Congressman Reyes said.  "Increasing the participation of low-income students in Advanced Placement courses will encourage more young people to purse higher education that will lead to better paying jobs.  I congratulate the teachers, staff, and students of the El Paso Independent School District for all their hard work."  

The federal Advanced Placement Incentive Program authorizes three-year grants for activities such as teacher training and pre-Advanced Placement course development that are designed to expand access for low-income individuals to Advanced Placement classes.

The U S. Department of Education is the agency of the federal government that establishes policy for, administers, and coordinates most federal assistance to education. The Department's mission is to serve America's students -- to ensure that all have equal access to education and to promote excellence in our nation's schools.

Vincent M. Perez
202-225-4831
Vincent.Perez@mail.house.gov