The School Board of Broward County pocketed yet another $250,000 Broad Prize last month, their second in as many years.

The Broad Prize for Urban Education, designed to reward the most improved urban school districts across the United States, will be plunked into a college scholarship fund and awarded to eligible graduating seniors by school year’s end.

The district earned the 2009 finalist nod for demonstrating the strongest student achievement and improvement while narrowing achievement gaps between income and ethnic groups.

An eight-member jury of business, government, civic and education leaders handpicked the School Board of Broward County, citing the district’s work in improving math and reading scores for low-income students, hikes in African-American and Hispanic student test scores and strong practices and county policies.

To grade Broward, jurors poured over student performance data compiled and analyzed by research firm MPR Associates, Inc., visited various school sites and met teachers.
Four other large urban school districts also netted the $250,000 honors.

For more information about Broward’s eligibility, call Charles Webster at 754-321-2300, or visit www.broadprize.org.