Nonpublic Schools Excluded from Innovation Fund Grants
The private school community has been eagerly awaiting the release of details regarding the $650 million Investing in Innovation Fund, especially to see whether the U.S. Department of Education would allow the program to include non-profit organizations serving a consortium of religious and independent schools. When the department released today an advance notice of priorities and selection criteria for the program, we found out that private schools will NOT be eligible beneficiaries. The rules define “consortium of schools” as follows: “Consortium of schools means two or more public elementary or secondary schools acting collaboratively for the purpose of applying for and implementing an Investing in Innovation Fund grant jointly with an eligible nonprofit organization.”
The exclusion of private schools from this program is a huge disappointment. Dr. Pete Noll has sent a letter of comment in response to the forthcoming notice in the Federal Register. Others within the private school community might consider doing the same.
More information about the Investing in Innovation Fund is available as follows:
