June 23, 2009

Public/Private Partnership Approaching Federal Education Stimulus Funding Strategically

Austin, TX  – Thanks to the facilitation of the E3 Alliance, Central Texas is the only region in the state that has developed a partnership between multiple private foundations and multiple school districts that will work  together to insure federal stimulus dollars are spent strategically and drive innovation based on common metrics.
The Central Texas Education Stimulus Collaborative (CTXESC) is a public/private partnership being launched to leverage ground-breaking federal stimulus money beyond the initial formula-based investments. With proven district collaboration through The Blueprint for Educational ChangeTM, the goal of the CTXESC is to take advantage of concurrent opportunities by leveraging private foundation funds to extend stimulus-funded opportunities and to achieve systemic educational impact across the Central Texas region.
This partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be signed onto by private foundations: Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, Texas High School Project/Communities Foundation of Texas, KDK-Harman Foundation, RGK Foundation, TG’s Public Benefit Program, and Texas Pioneer Foundation and multiple school districts: Austin, Bastrop, Eanes, Hutto, Leander, Manor, Pflugerville, Round Rock, and San Marcos ISDs.  The signing will take place on June 26, 2009 at 10:30am in Room 301 of the ACC Highland Business Center.
“Our premise is that we will have a greater impact on students and receive more money to invest if we work collaboratively across the region.” said Janet Harman, President and Founder of KDK-Harman Foundation. “We will spend more wisely by using common goals and metrics as a focus of our investment. “
The guiding principles for the CTXESC are to work collaboratively, use evidence-based practices based on objective data tracking and measure the results objectively.  The focus areas for funding will include:  Early Childhood, English Language Learner Achievement Gaps, College & Career Readiness and Effective Teachers in Classrooms.
The CTXESC is working with the Texas Education Agency to help lead the state in their planning and measurement efforts. This will make CTXESC well positioned for state dollars as well as regional competitive stimulus grants to be bid on in summer and early fall.  Central Texas schools, private foundations, and community have hit the ground running to help our students succeed through a strategic collaborative with measurable impact.
 
About the E3 Alliance
The E3 Alliance is a regional collaborative to create a research-based “blueprint” that will allow us to align our education systems to better fulfill the potential of every citizen and in turn, increase economic outcomes for a stronger economic future for our region.  Founded by partners the Austin Area Research Organization, The University of Texas at Austin, and Austin Community College District; the E3 Alliance acts as a catalyst for change, and is the P-16 Council for the Central Texas region.
About the Central Texas Education Stimulus Collaborative (CTXESC)
The CTXESC is comprised of private foundations (Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, Texas High School Project/Communities Foundation of Texas, KDK-Harman Foundation, RGK Foundation, TG’s Public Benefit Program and Texas Pioneer Foundation) and multiple districts (Austin, Bastrop, Eanes, Hutto, Leander, Manor, Pflugerville, Round Rock and San Marcos ISDs).