The Columbus-based Community Education Coalition will receive nearly $1 million through a Strada Education Network grant to support programming in the coalition’s Economic Opportunities through Education Network.
The Innovative Solutions in Education to Employment grant was announced Wednesday by Strada, a national nonprofit dedicated to improving lives by creating more direct and promising pathways between education and employment. It is a three-year grant totaling $997,000 over the next three years.
The coalition was successful in securing the grant after several rounds of consideration, applying to support the EcO Network, which supports outcomes-based education-to-employment initiatives across 10 counties in Southeast Indiana, including Bartholomew County.
Community Education Coalition and the EcO Network’s vision is to raise the region’s post-secondary attainment rate from 32.6 to 60 percent to meet projected needs of the local economy, said Kathy Oren, coalition executive director.
Grant funds will be used to support five different education pathways and student success strategies across the region, Oren said, with a goal of improving education outcomes for those in kindergarten through high school, post secondary and adult students.
Funding will be going to:
- Education and career planning programs, including career awareness and college readiness initiatives for students and families promoting a college-going culture, focused on high demand STEM careers.
- Providing Latino college and career coaches for middle and high school students, who will guide students on career and education pathways and assisting in the transition to college.
- New or expanded Ivy Tech information technology education programs at four Ivy Tech sites, including a software development technical certificate for high school students in Lawrenceburg; an information technology helpdesk technical certificate pathway for high school students in Batesville; an accelerated associate degree from the Cyber Academy at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, offered out of Columbus; and an accelerated associate degree information technology pathway in Madison.
- Collaborative student success work with IUPUC and Ivy Tech – Columbus, to increase student success in college entry-level (gateway) courses.
- Expanded support for workforce training for adult learners, a partnership including Jennings County Adult Educational Center, McDowell Education Center in Columbus and River Valley Resources. Grant money will allow the agencies to expand the number of adult learners who will complete industry-recognized credentials in high-demand industry sectors.
The areas are designed to strengthen the alignment between career planning and readiness while moving individuals through educational pathways that connect to high-demand careers, Oren said.
For the complete story, see Wednesday’s Republic.
