New Tech Network Expands through Ohio Race to the Top Innovative Program Grants

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NAPA, Calif. –June 28, 2011– Five Ohio school districts were awarded Race to the Top (RttT) funds allowing them to implement a New Tech Network high school in their district, the Ohio Department of Education announced today.

Winton Woods City Schools, Van Wert City Schools, Shelby City Schools, Zanesville City/ Muskingum Valley ESC Schools and Cleveland Heights-University Heights City Schools each received grants in an awards presentation by the Governor of Ohio, John Kasich on Wednesday. The addition of these five new NTN schools will bring the total to eight in Ohio and will add to more than 85 NTN schools around the country.

Ohio's Race to the Top (RttT) is part of a federal program designed to create a world-class education system in Ohio. As part of its mission, RttT focuses on increasing college enrollment, improving graduation rates and narrowing the state performance gap between under-served and majority students. Ohio was awarded 45 grants that will lead to the development of innovative programs in schools throughout the state. 23 Ohio school districts applied for the 5 New Tech Network awards available through the Race to the Top grants. Last summer, Ohio joined eight states and the District of Columbia as winners of the federal Race to the Top competition that rewarded states that are leading the way in comprehensive, coherent, statewide education reform across key areas. They include turning around the lowest-performing schools and preparing students to succeed in college and in the work place.

Lydia Dobyns, President of New Tech Network said, “We look forward to the new schools made possible by the Race to the Top awards. The awards will allow these forward-looking districts to invest in innovative and effective school designs that improve college and career readiness. Teachers and students in each of these schools will benefit tremendously from multi years worth of training and coaching along with the deep infusion of state of the art technology.”