Udall Congratulates Denver, Harrison School Districts on Receiving $12.9 Million in Competitive Education Grant Funds
Mark Udall congratulated the Denver Public School and Harrison School District Two on their receipt of more than $12.9 million of competitive grant funds from the Department of Education’s 2012 Teacher Incentive Fund. The districts will use the competitive grant funds to improve pay structures, reward great teachers and principals, and provide greater professional opportunities to teachers in high-poverty schools.
“Colorado is home to some of the most outstanding human resources in the nation. In order to ensure that Colorado remains a leader in job creation and preparing our youth to enter the 21st century economy, it is important that we invest in teachers,” Udall said. “These grants will ensure that the Denver and Harrison school districts are able to invest in great teachers and provide our students with the leadership they need to keep Colorado and our nation on the cutting edge.”
The competitive grant awards, two of the 35 announced today, are:
- $8,909,813 for Denver Public Schools; and,
- $4,079,060 for Harrison School District Two.
“Whether urban or rural, traditional or charter, successful schools are not possible without great teaching and leadership,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said while announcing the competitive grant awards. “Our best teachers and principals are invaluable leaders in changing life outcomes for students. They are desperately needed in our struggling schools, and they deserve to be recognized, rewarded, and given the opportunity to have a greater influence on their colleagues, students, and in their communities.”