The U.S. Department of Education has allocated $14 million for its inaugural Fostering Diverse Schools Demonstration Program.
The program aims to promote inclusive education at the local and state levels.
"The U.S. Department of Education (Department) has made $14 million in awards to help support local- and state-driven voluntary efforts to foster more diverse school communities through its first-ever Fostering Diverse Schools Demonstration Program," a Department of Education press release stated.
This initiative is part of the Department's larger campaign, Raise the Bar: Lead the World, which seeks to provide a well-rounded education and improved learning conditions for students. The grants provided through the Fostering Diverse Schools Demonstration Program will address the persistent issues of racial and socioeconomic segregation in schools.
Students of color, and those from low-income backgrounds, often face barriers, such as limited access to advanced courses, inadequate resources, and fewer extracurricular activities. The program aims to tackle these inequities and create more inclusive learning environments.
Per the information outlined in the official release, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona emphasized that diversity is America's greatest strength and that all students benefit from learning in diverse setting. “Every student in America deserves access to a high-quality education, but persistent racial and socioeconomic isolation in our schools continues to result in inadequate resources, lesser access to advanced courses, fewer extracurricular offerings, and other tangible inequities that disproportionately impact students of color and students from low-income backgrounds at every stage of their educational journeys and throughout their lives,” said Cardona.
The funding comes at a time when schools are experiencing increased separation based on socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity. The Fostering Diverse Schools Demonstration Program will support local school districts in increasing socioeconomic diversity by expanding access to specialized academic programs, considering facility locations, and offering unique program options.
The Department received applications from over 20 states and awarded 14 new grants. Planning grants were given to school districts in California, Illinois, Kentucky, and others, while implementation grants were awarded to districts in Alaska, Louisiana, and New York.
Through these efforts, the Biden-Harris Administration aims to promote diversity and equity in schools, ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality education.
