SCHAKOWSKY ANNOUNCES $167,000 EDUCATION GRANT TO EVANSTON/SKOKIE SCHOOL DISTRICT 65

Schakowsky, who contacted the Department of Education on behalf of the District's grant application, said that this money will be used to help educators and parents implement a program so students with limited English proficiency can achieve greater results in the classrooms. Educators and parents developed Project CALL, Cooperative Achievement for Language Learners, to help students in Washington and Orrington Elementary Schools.

"I am very pleased that together we were successful in securing this grant. Parents and educators in SD 65 ought to be commended for developing Project CALL, an innovative approach to our children's educational needs and an assurance to their future success," Schakowsky said.

"This grant will go a long way to help us achieve our goals to meet the educational needs of our limited-English-proficient students and their families," said Hardy Murphy, District 65 superintendent of schools. "We are grateful to Representative Schakowsky and the Department of Education for providing us with the opportunity to help our students meet and exceed state standards in reading, math and writing, while guiding their families to be a positive influence in their children's education."

Limited English proficient students, who are predominantly African Americans and Hispanics, lag in achievement scores in the classrooms. To reduce that gap and accelerate learning, Project CALL was developed. Under the project, School District 65 staff will receive intensive professional development training and will implement two-way immersion classrooms and after-school and summer programs. In addition, a family involvement and education program will be implemented.