Literacy grant funds to fund media centers

"This is a grant that is going to help us to move our elementary libraries to media centers," said Joan Gray, who coordinates technology for the school system.

The money, which Gray hopes will become available by October, will provide elementary schools countywide with additional books, technology in the form of presentation boards, projectors, distance learning equipment, cameras and other technology.

Gray said the grant will "help our libraries not be libraries from the 1950s but to be libraries of 2010s. That's why we got this grant."

Previous lack of federal funding prevented county school libraries from being brought up to date until now, Gray said.

Learning Center grant

County schools will receive a yearly $100,000 federal 21st Century Community Learning Center grant for at least the next three years, officials said last week.

The program seeks to raise achievement levels of low-income students and students attending underperforming schools through research-based enrichment programs operated outside the school day, according to a press release issued by the Tennessee Department of Education.

"This will further enhance our intervention (tutoring) programs," said Schools Superintendent Ed Gray. The grant will help schools to meet adequate yearly progress as defined by federal No Child Left Behind standards, Gray said. Tennessee measures whether schools and school systems are making AYP toward the goal of 100 percent of students being proficient in reading and math with a 90 percent high school graduation rate by 2014.

Forty-four schools in addition to those in Bedford County received this grant.

"We've made a serious commitment to our students by raising our standards through the Tennessee Diploma Project and these grants help support our efforts to see that all students graduate ready for college and the workforce," Gov. Phil Bredesen said in the release.

Grantees can help students improve through a variety of ways including remedial education, tutoring and mentoring programs, recreational activities, and technology programs.

"These programs provide a valuable service in the community and to our students," State Sen. Jim Tracy said. "We're fortunate to be receiving this grant during a time of transition in our state's education system and I look forward to seeing our students succeed."

Bedford County will receive funding for the next three years with the opportunity for a two-year extension if the program demonstrates adequate student progress.

Fruits and Veggies

Last month, the state also announced three county schools received a total of more than $80,000 in federal funds to provide schools with fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school year.

Eakin Primary, East Side Primary, Harris Middle and Thomas applied for and received the grant, which is provided through the United States Department of Agriculture.