Press Conference Call with Secretary Duncan 1 p.m. Friday on $650 Million Investing in Innovation (i3) Grants

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will hold a press conference call with reporters at 1 p.m. ET Friday to discuss the $650 million in grants that the Education Department is awarding through the Investing in Innovation (i3) program.

A cross-section of 49 school districts, nonprofit education organizations and institutions of higher education have been selected from among nearly 1,700 applicants for potential funding under the i3 project. To receive a share of the $650 million, the winning applicants must secure a commitment for a 20 percent private sector match by Sept. 8.

The i3 fund, part of the historic $10 billion investment in school reform in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), will support local efforts to start or expand research-based innovative programs that help close the achievement gap and improve outcomes for high-need students.

On the web:
http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/nations-boldest-education-reform-plans-receive-federal-innovation-grants-once-pr