Learning Point Associates Awarded U.S. Department of Education Contract for Charter School Research and Technical Assistance
Learning Point Associates, a nonprofit education research and consulting organization, has been awarded a five-year contract for Charter School Research and Technical Assistance by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement.
(Media-Newswire.com) - WASHINGTON, D.C. ( October 20, 2009 )—Learning Point Associates, a nonprofit education research and consulting organization, has been awarded a five-year contract for Charter School Research and Technical Assistance by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement.
The first task under this umbrella contract is to establish the National Charter School Resource Center, which will provide services and support for the continued development of high-quality, effective charter schools. The charter school center, led by Learning Point Associates, brings together a range of partners with extensive experience both in addressing the unique management needs of the charter school community and in working more broadly with high-need districts and schools to substantially improve teaching and learning.
“We believe in effective systems for all learners. Clearly, effective charter schools are part of the landscape for bringing innovation into high-need communities,” said Gina Burkhardt, chief executive officer of Learning Point Associates. “Improving the quality of charter schools is a priority in the administration’s reform strategy. We are excited to be working with our partners on this unprecedented opportunity to provide access to the best information and tools to help ensure the effectiveness of our nation’s charter schools.”
Steven M. Ross, Ph.D., internationally renowned scholar and policy analyst working intensively in school reform and school choice, has been appointed by Learning Point Associates as the project director. Dr. Ross will lead an exceptional collaborative—Learning Point Associates, Editorial Projects in Education ( publishers of Education Week ), American Institutes for Research, SRI International, Collaborative Communications, Public Impact, and Forum One—to manage the center.
With a focus on supporting innovative practices to enhance excellence, the charter school center will offer a diverse array of services to address the needs of the many constituents of charter schools including authorizers, state education agencies, governing boards, charter holders and management organizations, principals and teachers, business and facilities managers, policymakers, and families and communities. Working closely with the Office of Innovation and Improvement’s Charter Schools Program, the charter school center will coordinate and conduct research; collect and analyze data; develop and disseminate research-based products; provide a wide range of technical assistance; and facilitate knowledge development and exchange among practitioners, administrators, and policymakers. The charter school center also will provide on-demand access to information through traditional and new media so that charter schools can confidently plan, implement, and maintain high-quality programs.
About Learning Point Associates
Learning Point Associates is a nationally recognized, nonprofit education research and consulting organization with 25 years of experience working with educators and policymakers to transform education systems and student learning. In partnership with our clients, we tackle the most pressing issues in education, and we do so with unyielding commitment to change. We translate ideas and data into actionable plans and meaningful improvements for education systems. The federal government, state and local agencies, small and major foundations, school districts, and corporations look to Learning Point Associates for leadership, research, and strategies.
The national reputation of Learning Point Associates is built on a solid foundation of designing and conducting rigorous and relevant education research and evaluations; developing and delivering tools, services, and resources targeted at pressing education issues; and analyzing and synthesizing education policy trends and practices. Our professional staff of 150 continues to grow as our work expands both nationally and internationally. Our offices are located in Chicago and Naperville, Illinois; New York; and Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit www.learningpt.org.
This story was released on 2009-10-20. Please make sure to visit the official company or organization web site to learn more about the original release date. See our disclaimer for additional information.