news

Congressman Paul Tonko announced today that the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded the Schenectady School District and Schenectady High School a $6,270,000 million grant under its Persistently Dangerous Schools Initiative. Schenectady is one of only six schools nationwide to receive this award through the Department’s Mentoring, Educational, and Employment Strategies to Improve Academic, Social and Career Pathway Outcomes grant program.

Congressman Tonko wrote a letter in support of the district’s application for this grant.

“This is an important grant for Schenectady High School, which will help create a learning environment that will help get students on the right track,” said Congressman Tonko. “Schenectady High has come up with an impressive plan to improve it’s graduation rate, and deal with the family and social issues which have impacted student performance. I am committed to continuing my partnership with the Schenectady School District to ensure that all students have the chance to learn and succeed.”

The goal of this grant program is to reduce violence within these schools through a combination of mentoring, educational, employment, case management, and violence prevention strategies.

Schenectady High School has been identified as a Persistently Dangerous School two years in a row, and its graduation rate has fallen below 50%. The district has been working with community groups to address issues such mental health and teen suicide. The district has developed a plan in concert with the community to address problems including how to improve the graduation rate. The highlights of the plan that will be funded through this grant include:

• A freshman academy for incoming 9th graders
• The addition of a digital academy in a satellite location to relieve overcrowding at the high school campus
• Anti-bullying programs and school climate initiatives to improve student behavior
• Counseling and mentoring for at risk students
• College and career exploration programs
• Employment opportunities that would allow students to earn money and avoid gang involvement 

For more information, visit:  http://www.doleta.gov 

                                                   http://www.doleta.gov/pdf/PD_OnePagers.pdf

# # #