Region One Education Service Center (Region One) introduced four new grants during a celebratory event held on Nov. 16, 2023 at the Region One Conference Center in Edinburg.

Geared towards advancing student outcomes, the grants mark a leap forward in Region One’s commitment to fostering academic success and innovation within the Region.

“We’re very excited to support our school systems and students,” Region One Executive Director Dr. Daniel P. King said. “We’ll be continuing to look for more opportunities to help schools, especially small and rural school systems.”

Each grant adopts a distinct strategy aimed at enhancing student outcomes. Initiatives will focus on boosting college and career readiness in rural communities, promoting literacy, empowering social studies educators and creating college-focused environments for at-risk learners.

During the ceremony, Melissa I. Lopez, Region One Executive Administrator for College, Career & Life Readiness, said all four initiatives, although unique, will have a profound regional impact on students, families and educators.

“The grants go hand-in-hand,” Lopez said. “Two of the grants support core content areas, while the remaining focus on college, career and military readiness. From a regional perspective, we are impacting the whole child with these four initiatives by supporting students, families and educators - the ultimate goal being to improve student academic outcomes and promoting post-secondary readiness.”

Through the next five years, Region One will work alongside school systems and partners to implement the new initiatives and work towards boosting student achievement.

Special thanks are extended to school systems, congressional representatives and partners for supporting the new initiatives and collaborating to impact student academic outcomes region wide.