THE LEARNING ACCELERATOR: It's all systems go for the Cupertino, CA-based non-profit, which scored a $5 million grant from the Jaquelin Hume Foundation. This not only marks the biggest amount awarded by the SF-based foundation, but also the first time that it has "made an exception to its policy of giving anonymously," says its prez, Jerry Hume.
"The key word is 'Accelerator,'" adds Gisele Huff, executive director of the Hume Foundation. "Its mission is to make blended learning happen as fast and as well as possible. If it takes 10 to 20 years, we're toast."
Money's been moving in and out rather quickly for The Learning Accelerator (as its name might suggest), which aims to accelerate the study and implementation of blended learning solutions in schools around the U.S. It received a $750K grant from the Gates Foundation shortly after its founding in late 2012 and has already awarded $500K to the EducationSuperhighway.
Huff adds that she and the Learning Accelerator aim to work with districts that are "willing partners" in delivering personalized learning experiences to students. Part of the role of the Accelerator will be to find such districts and then help support their efforts by providing technology support, models of best practice, professional development and money.
