June 3, 2004
By Andy Sher - Washington Bureau
By Chattanooga Times Free Press

WASHINGTON — The National Education Association Foundation will give five Hamilton County middle schools up to $2.5 million over the next five years to help low-income and minority pupils close an 'achievement gap' with their more affluent peers, officials said Wednesday.

The grant will be used to develop effective school leadership teams as well as recruit, train and retain teachers; provide literacy coaches; and promote family involvement. The schools are guaranteed $500,000 for the first year. Grants will be renewed in the following years depending on how well goals are met, officials said.

The National Education Association Foundation is an offshoot of the National Education Association, a national teachers’ union. Sharon Robinson, NEA Foundation chairwoman, said school officials and the Hamilton County Education Association have 'proposed an excellent plan of action. It holds great promise.'

Reg Weaver, National Education Association president, described the cooperation between county schools and teachers as an 'urban system/union partnership.' He said the decision to award the grant to Hamilton County Schools was a result of local officials’ 'bold, fresh ideas' and cooperation between the system and its union.

Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Jesse Register said the award 'shows great confidence in the school district and what’s going on in the county.' Dr. Register said the county will not be putting new money into the program but is working with local foundations in 'realigning some of the resources we already have.' Resources from the federal Title I program for low-income and disadvantaged children also will be used, according to Ms. Robinson with the NEA Foundation.

The schools involved are Chattanooga Middle School, Dalewood Middle School, East Lake Academy, Orchard Knob Middle School and Franklin Middle School, she said. Franklin is merging with Howard School of Academics and Technology. To measure progress at the schools, officials will see whether achievement gaps in test scores at the schools and their suburban counterparts decrease. Officials also want to see dropout rates lowered and graduation rates rise. More lowincome and minority students are expected to enroll in and complete accelerated learning courses.

Speaking to NEA officials by video linkup, local teacher Samevelyn Rock, president of the Hamilton County Education Association, said about 1,900 students will be helped by the program. She said when she first heard the NEA Foundation was soliciting proposals from school districts, she contacted Dr. Register.

'The first thing I had to do was pick up the phone, call the superintendent, and it only took 30 minutes to get everybody on board,' Ms. Rock said. 'That is the type of community that we are.'

Hamilton County Board of Education member Debbie Colburn, also speaking by video linkup, said local school officials 'recognize it will be a challenge, and we’re looking forward to moving this ahead.'

Staff writer Beverly Carroll contributed to this story.

E-mail Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com