Published in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, by Megan Harris

September 29, 2014

Gov. Tom Corbett announced $23.1 million in state funding for social and artistic activities in high-poverty, low-performing schools on Monday, including nine in Western Pennsylvania.

Among the 64 winners were the Boys and Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania, the Consortium for Public Education, Youth Places, the Private Industry Council and school districts serving McKeesport Area, Penn Hills, Pittsburgh, United and Jeanette City.

The funding supports educational resources in local communities to increase student academic achievement through the federal 21st Century Community.

“These grants will provide educational opportunities that are focused on complementing, supplementing and enhancing the work being done in the classroom by teachers and students,” Corbett said in a release.

The 64 grantees represent eight geographical areas of Pennsylvania and include 14 community-based organizations, 21 school districts, 12 charter schools, five intermediate units, three faith-based organizations, six nationally affiliated service organizations and three institutions of higher education.

Winners were chosen from among 117 applications.

(Megan Harris, "Corbett announces funding for programs for at-risk students," Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 9/29/14)