This week the Montana Office of Public Instruction announced the recipients of about three million dollars’ worth of grant money. OPI spokesman Dylan Klapmeier explains.

"There were 16 grant recipients announced for the federal 21st Century Community Learning Center Grants, it's a federal program through the Department of Education , which promotes summer and after school learning for students," Klapmeier said. "One of the grant recipients was a consortium with the Missoula School District.

Klapmeier says three schools in particular will benefit from the grant.

"Some of the partners that were named in the grant are the Missoula Art Museum, Missoula Parks and Rec, and the Natural History Museum and the University of Montana," Klapmeier said. "They are primarily going to be serving three schools in Missoula Franklin, Hawthorn, and C.S. Porter Middle School."

Interestingly, this year the grants had an increased award amount, as well as an increased requirement. Recipients of the grants are now required to track and report educational outcomes that result from the summer programs, which are expected to have more focus on academics.

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