Local Schools Receive Grant to Develop 'Real-World 21st Century Skills'

Read about the Career Technical Education building at Santana High

The district encompassing Santee's high schools will receive a $50,000 grant to develop specialized advanced high school instructional programs, the state Department of Education announced Monday.

The money is earmarked for three school districts in San Diego County: Coronado Unified, Grossmont Union and Valley Center-Pauma Unified school districts. The funds are intended to  develop advanced instruction programs in a variety of subjects.

The state allowed the money normally used for the grants to be redirected into general education programs beginning in 2009 to help districts having budget problems. That flexibility has expired.

"This grant has a long history of helping support innovative high school programs that help students develop real-world 21st century skills," said Tom Torlakson, the state superintendent of public instruction. 

"Now that these funds are available again, California will carry on its work of developing cutting-edge programs so students can explore areas of study in a deeper way while developing their talents and skills for college or career."

A total of $3.3 million will be distributed to 67 school districts around the state, he said.

The grant funds are to be used for initial planning. Schools will then apply for an implementation grant as funding becomes available.

-City News Service