As Long Beach—one of six finalists for The Broad Prize for Urban Education—eagerly awaits the results of the 2008 decision, the Broad Foundation announced today that the overall prize was doubled from $1 million to $2 million. This means that Long Beach, winner of the 2003 Broad Prize, could receive $1 million for high school student scholarships when the decision is announced on October 14th in New York City.
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation will award $1 million to the urban school district that best demonstrates success in closing achievement gaps among low-income and minority students. The four finalist school districts will each receive $250,000. All money is granted to graduating seniors for college scholarships, a growing need as college costs continue to sky rocket in an already struggling economy.
This is the fourth time Long Beach Unified has been named a finalist for this award, considered the largest and most prominent award in public education.