The Humboldt Unified School District (HUSD) has been awarded a continuous school improvement grant totaling more than $1.2 million from the Arizona Department of Education.
This represents the largest federally funded state-based public education grant in Yavapai County history and will fund a program called Project Momentum.
The goal of Project Momentum is to increase student achievement in language arts and mathematics at a higher rate than the rest of the state while compensating teachers for their participation in Professional Learning Communities.
“The uniqueness of Project Momentum is that those who have gone through the program essentially pay it forward by mentoring and supporting our staff to address the specific needs of our district and our students,” said Katrina Kadah, HUSD Director of Educational Services. “That coaching then builds a foundation focused on K-12 student learning, thereby resulting in significant student growth.”
Teachers at participating campuses get support from their districts including professional development and mentoring, use these supports to build collaborative teams and deliver “high quality, Tier 1 instruction,” according to the education department’s website.
Since 2015, a total of 60 schools in Arizona have participated in Project Momentum. Across eight years of participation, student growth rates in test scores at the schools are more than two times the state growth rate in English language arts, and more than three times the state growth rates in mathematics.
“Through innovative strategies and dedicated resources, our aim is to outpace the state’s progress, ensuring that our students not only meet but exceed academic expectations,” said Dr. Christine Griffin, HUSD Superintendent.
“Project Momentum embodies our commitment to excellence and our belief that every student deserves the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Together, we will raise the bar and set new standards of achievement in education.”
