CELL receives grant to promote state educational improvement
The Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL), received a $7.5 million Lilly Endowment Inc. grant on Nov. 23, 2009.
CELL was founded in 2001 and has generated around $30 million in funding since it first began. The center focuses on increasing high school graduation rates and the need for success in post-secondary education in the current economy.
The center is driven to unite Indiana schools to “work as the leading convener, catalyst and collaborator for dynamic, innovative education change in Indiana,” according to CELL’s official Web site.
CELL has received multiple grants since its inception, including three grants from Lilly Endowment Inc. in 2001, 2008 and 2010, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2003 and the Lumina Foundation in 2007. CELL plans to fund many initiatives with the grant, which expires in 2014.
There are eight future initiatives CELL plans to incorporate into their program with the recent grant. The first of these is the alternative high school network, which provides research, resources and networking opportunities for schools.
The second initiative is business and education connections, which bridges business and education to tackle Indiana’s public school system’s challenges.
CELL also hopes to implement an international high school network connecting students and schools globally through international studies to encourage informed college students.
The learning science master’s degree is an initiative that involves the University of Indianapolis by teaming up with the School of Education and the College of Arts and Sciences to give teachers a better insight as to how students learn.
The middle school network stresses the importance of the transition from elementary to high school by dealing with curriculum, instructional and developmental concerns.
School consultation services support schools wishing for change through research, strategic planning, resource development and policy revision. Leadership and instructional professional development focuses on the needs of educators and leaders through research, education, resources and motivation.
Lastly, the sustainability initiative is prolonging the funds so that CELL can be self-sufficient until 2014. This also includes hiring a grant writer and investing $1 million in endowments so it can draw interest and be used as matching money for grants.
“The grant will allow us to work closely with the teacher department of the School of Education, and also the grant will serve the university community as a whole as we expand service to K-12 grades,” said David Dresslar, executive director of CELL.
CELL is not only dedicated to Indiana schools, but the center also helps internationally as well. CELL connects Indiana educators to international leaders to help improve equity, achievement gaps and school systems.
CELL plans on testing the effectiveness of the new initiatives by evaluating the level of participation that occurrs. Many of the new initiatives involve things such as: career days, conferences, seminars, providing services to schools and looking beyond traditional connections.
“CELL often operates as what we call an ‘incubator.’ We focus on finding and developing innovative ideas that can help transform education across Indiana,” said Director of Communications Lauren Howard.
Dr. Jill Bradley-Levine is the research and evaluation expert for CELL, although other CELL members examine the initiatives through various methods.
“It is our hope that CELL’s work will help bring additional students to UIndy who will be well-prepared to excel in the college environment,” Howard said.
With its future goals and current initiatives, CELL hopes to continue its journey to making Indiana schools according to Howard, a better “educational landscape.”
