Care Foundation conducted local research to better understand the most critical educational needs in northwest Arkansas. We participated in the Northwest Arkansas Council's Education Taskforce to learn of local needs. National research was conducted to learn how K-12 education needs are being met in communities across the nation. After lengthy consideration, the following initiatives were approved for funding by the foundation's board. For a list of the latest grants awarded under the Education Initiative, click here.

Initiative Goals
The objective of the Early Childhood Education initiative is to provide schools with the resources to offer pre-kindergarten education for all children. Goals of the initiative are to:

• Provide high quality pre-kindergarten education that is vertically aligned with the school's Kindergarten curriculum,
• Promote all areas of academic, physical, and social development,
• Prepare students for a successful transition to kindergarten, and
• Provide a variety of opportunities for parents to become involved in the program.

Eligible Organizations
By invitation only, Care Foundation will offer Early Childhood Education to two schools in Benton County that have an existing program in place.

Funding Availability
It is the desire of Care Foundation to assist schools in providing pre-kindergarten education by awarding grants to be use as matching funds for state and federal programs. However, if government grants are not available, Care Foundation will award grants up to $75,000 per pre-kindergarten classroom.

Use of Funds
Grant funds will be used to implement a pre-kindergarten program, purchase materials and supplies, and provide training for the instructional staff.

Initiative Goals
The objective of the Extended Learning initiative is to provide schools with the resources to extend the learning opportunities for all children. Goals of the initiative are to:

• Provide extended time for instruction by offering before or after school learning opportunities,
• Provide extended time for instruction by offering learning opportunities during the summer, and/or
• Provide students with new learning opportunities by expanding the traditional curricular offerings.

Eligible Organizations
Care Foundation will support offering Extended Learning to a maximum of four elementary schools (Bentonville, Siloam Springs, and Springdale). The project will be restricted to schools that can demonstrate a need to improve student academic achievement.

Funding Availability
Grants up to $50,000 per school to implement Extended Learning will be available.

Use of Funds
Grant funds will be used to implement an Extended Learning program, purchase materials and supplies, and provide training for the instructional staff.

The objective of the International Baccalaureate Organization's Diploma Program is to provide a rigorous pre-university course of studies for highly motivated secondary school students. Goals of the initiative are:

Initiative Goals
The objective of the International Baccalaureate Organization's Diploma Program is to provide a rigorous pre-university course of studies for highly motivated secondary school students. Goals of the initiative are:

• Implementation of the International Baccalaureate Organization's (IBO) Diploma Programme,
• Strengthen the rigor of study available for students in their final two years of high school,
• Provide a course of study that allows students in Bentonville and Springdale to demonstrate their ability to compete academically with youth from 110 countries, and
• Further support the school districts' high expectations for student academic achievement.

Funding Availability
Phase I: Planning grants up to $30,000 per school district to explore and plan for the implementation of the International Baccalaureate Programme will be available.

Phase II: Grants up to $100,000 per school district to implement the International Baccalaureate Programme will be available upon successful completion of the planning grant. Sustained annual funding at the same level will be considered for an additional three years, contingent upon successful grant accomplishments.

Use of Funds
Phase I: Planning grant money may be used for attendance at IBO-required conferences, workshops and seminars; site visits to schools offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme; activities designed to encourage community support for the Diploma Programme; and a feasibility study of the school's ability to meet the IBO's requirements.

Phase II: Implementation grant money may be used for fees for school and student participation; ongoing teacher training; hiring an IBO coordinator; and purchasing materials/equipment for IBO classes.

Initiative Goals
The Literacy and Math Achievement Initiative supports focused attention on improving student proficiency in middle and/or junior high in literacy and math. The goals of the initiative are:

• Support school districts' efforts in strengthening literacy and math proficiency in middle and/or junior high,
• Stimulate the implementation of comprehensive programs of sustained, high-quality professional development for teachers of literacy and mathematics,
• Promote the development and implementation of improved teaching, upgraded curriculum, integrated technology, and high-quality instructional materials into the classroom,
• Provide for programs and processes that improve the literacy and math achievement of low performing students, and
• Further support school districts' high expectations for student academic achievement.

Eligible Organizations
Care Foundation will support the Literacy and Math Initiative in Bentonville and Springdale School Districts. The project will be restricted to the districts' efforts to address the literacy and math achievement needs of students in middle and/or junior high. Expansion of this initiative is dependent upon the lessons learned from the implementation, execution, and evaluation of the program.

Funding Availability
Phase I: Planning grants up to $10,000 will be available per school district to research and plan for the implementation of a literacy and math initiative for middle and/or junior high.

Phase II: Implementation grants up to $100,000 will be available per school district upon successful completion of the planning grant to implement their literacy and math initiative. Sustained annual funding at the same level will be considered for an additional three years upon successful grant accomplishments.

Use of Funds
Phase I: Planning grant funds may be used for professional development conferences, workshops, and seminars; site visits to schools with strong performance in literacy and math; developing or redesigning more rigorous literacy and mathematics curricula; and designing programs to identify and develop exemplary teachers of literacy and mathematics.

Phase II: Implementation grant funds may be used for costs associated with implementing a program to address the goals of the initiative, and technology needed to support the execution of the curriculum and instruction.

Initiative Goals
The objective of the New Arrival Center is to provide a total language immersion setting for elementary students who are English Language Learners. Goals of the initiative are to:

• Teach elementary students who speak only Spanish how to understand, speak and write in English,
• Provide students with the necessary academic and social skills to complete the program in a 6 - 12 month period,
• Improve the students' overall academic performance in all areas of the curriculum, and
• Further support the school districts' high expectations for student academic achievement.

Eligible Organizations
Care Foundation will support offering the New Arrival Center to a maximum of six elementary schools, one in Siloam Springs and up to five in Springdale. The project will be restricted to schools with a minimum ELL population equal to 10 percent or more of the individual school's total enrollment.

Funding Availability
Grants of up to $25,000 per school to implement the New Arrival Center will be available. Additional annual funding of $10,000 will be considered for up to three years contingent upon successful grant accomplishments.

Use of Funds
Grant funds will be used to obtain the New Arrival Center license, purchase curricular materials, and provide training for the instructional staff. Funds awarded in subsequent years will be used to replenish consumable materials and provide additional teacher training.