Broad Foundation Awards $1 Million to Rocketship for National Expansion of Proven 'Hybrid' Charter

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LOS ANGELES, Dec. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation has awarded $1 million to Rocketship Education, a leading network of innovative K-5 public charter schools, the foundation announced today. The investment will support the first national expansion of a "hybrid school" model – which combines classroom instruction with online learning – helping Rocketship develop the infrastructure necessary to open 30 new hybrid charter schools nationwide by 2015.

"By using a combination of the best and brightest teachers and technology, Rocketship has literally redefined a traditional classroom," said Eli Broad, founder of The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, which awarded the grant as part of its commitment to the White House Social Innovation Fund to fund innovative efforts in public education. "Rocketship has demonstrated that when schools offer every student access to a strong teacher and engaging instruction tailored to their individual needs, they can revolutionize education as we know it."

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Rocketship schools academically out-perform not only other low-income schools in California, but also wealthier California schools, such as the Palo Alto Unified School District. In 2010, Rocketship Mateo Sheedy Elementary and Rocketship Sí Se Puede Academy ranked 5th and 15th among all California schools serving 70 percent or more low-income students on the state's Academic Performance Index. Ninety percent of Rocketship students have demonstrated math proficiency, and 80 percent have demonstrated English language arts proficiency, compared to just 54 and 36 percent of students, respectively, in surrounding schools.

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Due to a strong partnership with Teach For America, many Rocketship teachers are Teach For America corps members and alumni.

more. . . http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-broad-foundation-awards-1-million-to-rocketship-for-national-expansion-of-proven-hybrid-charter-schools-111516454.html

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