Mason Awarded Grant for Lab Partnerships

was awarded a $145,000 grant Monday that could be used toward expanding options for public school and higher education lab partnerships.

The Virginia Board of Education gave GMU the Virginia College Partnership Laboratory School Planning Grant Award. George Mason was awarded the grant along with James Madison University, Longwood University, and Virginia State University.

The planning grants could be used to give more training to teachers and give schools more flexibility to partner with local school boards, according to a press release.  

"The proposed college laboratory schools are examples for the Commonwealth of what is possible when our institutions of higher learning and local school districts partner with people and organizations in the public, private and philanthropic sectors to initiate and develop innovative academic programs," Governor McDonnell said in the release. "The planning grants aren't just about money. They are about collaboration among all stakeholders, building a shared agenda and challenging ourselves to improve the way our students learn."

A panel of individuals from higher education, local school districts and the business community reviewed each of the applications.

The grant program was first established in 2010 as part of the governor’s “Opportunity to Learn” agenda.

According to the state board of education’s website, students who attend college lab schools can benefit from the resources available to higher education institutions and would not be limited by the administrative constraints of traditional public schools. 

It was not clear which local schools would partner with George Mason University. A call to the governor’s office was not immediately returned.