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27
Jun

VSAC receives grants from J. Warren and Lois McClure Foundation

New Franklin County initiative, training for personalized learning plans funded

WINOOSKI (June 27, 2016) – Vermont Student Assistance Corp., the voice for Vermonters who continue their education and training after high school, has been selected to receive two grants from the J. Warren and Lois McClure Foundation.

A $15,000 grant will allow VSAC to launch a new pilot program in Franklin County to encourage low-income students or those who are the first in their family to pursue higher education (“first generation”) to participate in dual enrollment courses and early college. VSAC will provide personalized counseling and other social support that has proven successful with first-year college students with similar backgrounds. VSAC also will partner with Franklin County businesses and organizations to offer the opportunity for $1,000 scholarships for students who successfully complete the courses and enroll in college.

“This is an exciting opportunity that will allow students to explore college level opportunities and show themselves they can continue their education after high school and we are grateful to the McClure Foundation for its support of this initiative,” said Scott Giles, VSAC president and CEO.

“We know that two out of three jobs coming to Vermont will require some training or education after high school. This grant allows us to expand our outreach capabilities for Franklin County students. What we develop here, we can tailor for all of Vermont.”

A second $50,000 grant will support continued professional development training for educators at more than 70 middle schools, high schools and supervisory unions on implementing personalized learning plans. VSAC, with the Agency of Education, will host trainings, create resource guides, facilitate PLP network coordination and user group communication.

Personalized learning plans are designed to help students achieve academic success, be prepared for postsecondary opportunities and engage actively in civic life. Now in its second year of implementation, PLPs allow students to identify their goals, learning styles and abilities and align outcomes with the school’s academic expectations and student’s pathway toward graduation.

“We thank the McClure Foundation for this grant and for their unwavering support of education in Vermont,” Giles said. “This grant allows VSAC to continue its assistance to educators in moving forward with personalized learning plans that are focused on building and realizing a student’s education, training and career aspirations.”

The J. Warren and Lois McClure Foundation collaborates with educators, organizations, and philanthropists to improve and promote postsecondary and career education opportunities within the state with the conviction that through this work Vermont’s most important resource — its people — will become more fully empowered. The McClure Foundation is a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation. www.mcclurevt.org

About VSAC – Changing Lives through Education and Training since 1965

Vermont Student Assistance Corporation is a public, nonprofit agency established by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 to help Vermonters achieve their education and training goals after high school. VSAC serves students and their families in grades 7-12, as well as adults returning to school, by providing education and career planning services, need-based grants, scholarships and education loans. VSAC has awarded more than $600 million in grants and scholarships for Vermont students, and also administers Vermont’s 529 college savings plan. Share your VSAC story by email to myVSACstory@vsac.org or submit a video to YouTube. Find us at www.vsac.org or check in on Facebook and Twitter. #changing lives

About J. Warren and Lois McClure Foundation

The J. Warren and Lois McClure Foundation is a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation. The Vermont Community Foundation is a family of hundreds of funds and foundations established by Vermonters to serve their charitable goals. It provides the advice, investment vehicles, and back-office expertise to make giving easy and effective. The Foundation also provides leadership in giving by responding to community needs, mobilizing and connecting philanthropists to multiply their impact, and by keeping Vermont’s nonprofit sector vital with grants and other investments in the community. Visit www.vermontcf.org or call 802-388-3355 for more information.

 

This entry was posted on Monday, June 27th, 2016 at 6:25 am and is filed under News & Views, Recommended Reading, VSAC News Releases. Both comments and pings are currently closed.