The grant, which provides the district with more than $3.8 million, will allow Beavercreek Schools to promote greater individual academic growth through the use of technology. Funds offered through the grant will be used to purchase iPads for every K-8 student, along with instructional software that assesses each student’s knowledge base and measures their
achievement in mathematics and English Language Arts. The grant will also allow the district
to partner with an educational technology firm that develops personalized curriculum for each student that is aligned with Common Core State Standards.

Dr. Richard A. Ross, superintendent of public instruction for the Ohio Department of Education, indicated that there was tremendous competition for Straight A grants. “This first
round of Straight A Fund grant opportunities has started the process of re-examining the ways that we educate the boys and girls of Ohio,” he said. “We will look to the winning proposals for ideas to reduce costs and transform learning in our state.”

Grant applications were first assessed to determine their fiscal sustainability, and were then evaluated on the basis of 1) innovation, 2) value, and 3) lasting impact. Applications that met all of these criteria were then reviewed by grant advisors, who recommended the highest quality applications to the Straight A Fund Governing Board. This Board made the final recommendations for funding.

“We are thrilled that our project was selected for this grant, and believe that the program we outlined will improve individual growth and achievement among all of our kindergarten through eighth grade students,” said William McGlothlin, Ed.D., Beavercreek Schools’ superintendent. “When combined with classroom instruction and personalized learning tools, this program will support our students in a way that promotes their engagement and continual growth, blending technology with 21st century learning skills.”  The district will begin a pilot program based on this proposal during the second semester of the 2013-14 school year at Parkwood Elementary. Full implementation of the program will begin district-wide in September 2014.