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Article published Nov 17, 2006
Bellevue School District gets $1.9 million grant from Gates Foundation
Journal Staff
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded a $1.9 million grant to the Bellevue School District to develop an Internet-based curriculum to improve student achievement.
The curriculum is designed to be widely used and to serve as a model for other school districts in Washington state and nationwide, according to a press release from the nonprofit Bellevue Schools Foundation, which received the grant.
The system will be accessible to students, parents and teachers. It will provide information about courses, lessons, and ways to enhance curriculum, instruction and classroom learning.
Superintendent Mike Riley said that once the Web system is completed, "it has the potential to help fulfill the promise of a high-quality high school education preparing students with the skills necessary for college success — not just for a few students, but all students."
For the past 10 years under Riley, the 16,500-student Bellevue School District has ranked among the nation's top districts. His emphasis has been on preparing all students for success in college and the district has focused on a curriculum that includes widespread participation in advanced level classes.
Despite the successes, 30 percent of all Bellevue students failed the math section of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning in 2006 and performance on the WASL is worse among minority groups.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation focuses on improving high school graduation rates and has invested more than $1 billion nationwide to expand educational options for high school students.