7 Chicago Public Schools Get $1.9M Total From Leap Innovations for EdTech Makeover
LEAP Innovations, the 1871-based edtech hub, just handed out $1.9 million across seven Chicago public schools to support personalized learning and edtech.
Four elementary schools and three high schools were selected to receive a $280,000 grant through LEAP's Breakthrough Schools Chicago program:
- CICS Irving Park
- Disney II Magnet High School
- Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy
- Joseph Lovett Elementary School
- Patrick Henry Elementary Schoo
- Robert Lindblom Math and Science Academy
- University of Chicago Charter School – Donoghue campus
These seven schools were selected from 15 total schools that spent the past year creating plans for a personalized learning and edtech overhaul in their school. In the first phase of the program, which ran through last year, school leaders had to design and pilot personalized learning models that involved the entire school and met the needs of their students, and included monthly workshops and over 150 hours of coaching from local and national experts.
The final seven schools were selected for additional implementation grants by a panel of experts that vetted the plans.
Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool pointed out that extra funds such as these are needed as the state budget impasse continues, and CPS future finances remain in question.
“At a time when expectations are rising and budgets are shrinking, we need innovative approaches in our schools more than ever,” he said in a statement. “We are grateful to LEAP Innovations and the principals and educators who dedicated their time to design these impactful new models that will tailor learning to each individual student’s needs.”
LEAP Innovations, which launched in 2014, aims to grow the movement around technology and personalized learning through edtech pilots and personalized learning overhauls.
Last year they announced a $4 million fund through Breakthrough Schools Chicago, a regional fund of the Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC). Additional funding for the Chicago program comes from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Chicago Public Education Fund, IMC Financial Markets, the Joyce Foundation, and Northern Trust. In addition, theyreceived $5.1 million from the Gates Foundation to continue to grow their model.