A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Washington, D.C. 20202

February 2000

Dear Friend of Education:

As we enter this new millennium, we have more ways than ever to make fundamental improvements in our children?s education. The U.S. Department of Education has significant tools available to help your community meet the challenges of the 21^st century.

I am pleased to share with you this guide, which discusses some of our year 2000 new and continuing grants and funding opportunities. I hope you will take the time to explore our many ongoing programs and our newly available funding opportunities.

This catalog shares detailed information about selected grant initiatives, describes some exemplary grantees for each program, and highlights resources available from the U.S. Department of Education to help schools, colleges, and communities address pressing education issues.

We must continue to help children read well and independently by the end of the third grade; make schools more disciplined and drug free; expand after-school programs; raise academic standards; help middle and high school students prepare for college; make college more affordable; get useful technology into classrooms; reduce class and school size; recruit qualified and well-prepared teachers; and expand learning opportunities for all disadvantaged youth.

Please visit the Department of Education web site for continuing updates on these funding opportunities: http://www.ed.gov/inits/FY2000/index.html. I thank you for your continued commitment to improving America's education system.

Yours sincerely, Richard W. Riley

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[FY2000 Initiatives and Funding Opportunities Update]