Representatives from school districts in Seattle, Milwaukee and Hamilton County will gather in Chattanooga for two days to study and discuss methods for closing achievement gaps in public schools, with a focus on the progress being made in Hamilton County. The Nov. 7-8 “learning exchange” is being hosted by the NEA Foundation, and includes site visits to Hamilton County schools.

The NEA Foundation has awarded grants to these communities as part of its Closing the Achievement Gaps Initiative. Hamilton County received the first grant in 2004 with Milwaukee and Seattle following in 2005 and 2006 respectively. Each of the five-year pilot grants totals as much as $2.5 million.

Locally, the Public Education Foundation administers the NEA Foundation grant for the Hamilton County Education Association and the Hamilton County Department of Education. These funds in Hamilton County have been used to jumpstart middle school reform, beginning with a focus on the five lowest-performing middle schools. With additional funding from the Lyndhurst Foundation, the initiative has now expanded to all 21 middle schools.

Dr. William Miles, director of programs for the NEA Foundation, said there has been “enormous progress” in Hamilton County. “There are strong networks and professional learning communities, and they have built broad community support through partnerships with local institutions of higher education, the business community and local and national foundations,” he said. “Hamilton County was the first and is the furthest along of the three pilot sites, so it seemed reasonable to hold our meeting there to share successes, challenges and lessons,” he added.

In addition to the primary grant in Hamilton County, the NEA Foundation also provided a matching grant with the Pearson Foundation this year to organize digital arts technology workshops for both educators and students.

Dan Challener, president of PEF, pointed to the grant and the conference as indications of the progress being made in Hamilton County schools. “The NEA Foundation is focused on results, and they have been impressed by our advancements, especially in literacy. Once again, Hamilton County is leading the way,” he said.

The NEA Foundation created the Closing the Achievement Gaps Initiative to accelerate the achievement rate for disadvantaged and minority student groups while raising achievement for all students. The initiative goals call for reduced dropout rates, improved academic performance and an increase of students entering college without needing remediation. The initiative is built on a strong collaborative relationship between the local NEA affiliate, school district and community partners.

Hamilton County’s Public Education Foundation partners with Hamilton County Schools to help students succeed by offering professional training and coaching for teachers, principals and administrators; human and financial resources to promote research-based innovation; and research that promotes continuous achievement. In the past six years, PEF has helped to bring millions of dollars in philanthropic funding to the school system.

Created by members of the National Education Association in 1969, the NEA Foundation is sustained by their continuing contributions, as well as those of dedicated corporate sponsors and committed friends. The NEA Foundation offers programs and grants that support educators’ efforts to close the achievement gaps, increase classroom innovations, salute excellence in education and provide professional development. The NEA Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c) (3) organization. For more information, visit www.neafoundation.org.