7 districts split $25M in Gates education grants

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Seven school districts will split $25 million in education funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Philadelphia; Boston; Denver; New Orleans; New York; Hartford, Conn.; and Spring Branch, Texas, are recipients of the grants announced Wednesday.

The communities are among 16 that signed a collaboration compact designed to reduce tension between district and charter schools. The agreement entails sharing resources and best practices.

By signing the compact, each district received $100,000 and became eligible for further funding.

Over the next few years, Hartford will get nearly $5 million and Denver about $4 million. The other districts will receive between $2.2 million and $3.7 million each.

Funds will go toward projects including universal enrollment systems and joint professional development for charter and district teachers.

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