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Programs & Initiatives

Scholarships provide students the opportunity to pursue higher educational goals and in many cases make college and university experience accessible to students who might not otherwise dream of a college education.  Through donor-funded scholarship funds, the Foundation awarded more than $600,000 to Clark County public high school seniors in 2006. 

The Grant Program offers teachers and administrators grants to implement best practices or test new teaching methodologies.  More than $2.5 million in grants have been distributed by the Foundation to schools and classrooms throughout Southern Nevada.

Shakespeare in the Schools This educational-outreach program has been bringing Shakespeare to the teachers students of Clark County for 16 years. It begins with a teachers' in-service in the spring, followed by on-site student workshops in the fall. The program's highlight is a free student matinee performed at the Henderson Pavilion. All activities feature professional theater companies and are offered free to the participating schools.

Project SMILE provides students who are not eligible for any other dental assistance with critical treatment for dental problems that interfere with learning.

Help Zone.org is an online resource clearinghouse that provides current information, ideas, and resources to enhance drug and violence prevention. The site was created with a generous grant from Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson. It represents a unique partnership among the Venetian, The Public Education Foundation, the BEST Coalition for A Safe and Drug-Free Nevada, and the Clark County School District.

Nevada PIE is a collaboration between the Clark County School District, the Nevada system of Higher Education, and The Public Education Foundation. Nevada PIE exists to strengthen public school education that is respectful of and responsive to the many cultures, languages and diverse learning styles of Nevada's children and youth. Nevada PIE provides expanded opportunities for all students to access knowledge and achieve high standards according to their ability so that all students can realize the great promise of America.

Clark County READS is a literacy initiative that provides books to students, classrooms and school libraries, as well as recruits and trains volunteer reading tutors to work with struggling readers.  Clark County READS’ programs include Reading Is Fundamental, Reach Out and Read, Reading Partner, Library Enhancement, Book Re-Use and Boots Up for Reading. 

The Teacher EXCHANGE™ is a re-use resource center for Southern Nevada’s public school teachers.  Donations of new and re-usable materials, supplies, surplus materials, computers and office equipment are collected from community businesses and individuals and provided free-of-charge to teachers to enhance classroom instruction.

The InterAct(TM) Online Learning Community in 1992 to build and enhance online communications, collaboration, enhanced learning and knowledge sharing by faculty, students, and administrators within the Clark County School District.

Empowerment Schools The concept of empowerment is anchored in the belief that, if schools are to be held accountable for student achievement, they should be given the freedom to determine what will best accomplish their goals and to deploy the resources that they have been allocated to implement their choices. With this in mind, the Clark County School District (CCSD) Empowerment School model was designed to improve learning and student performance through a collaborative partnership that includes students, parents, community members, and the school staff. Within the Empowerment School model, The Public Education Foundation identifies potential partners and strategically matches them with an Empowerment School to ensure a synergy between the partners and schools.

Our Schools of Distinction initiative has identified the characteristics and attributes of a “Great School.” These attributes were developed by integrating and blending the best of educational and business practices and the elements of an Empowerment School.

Through our newest initiative, Best Practices, the Foundation is committed to recognizing and celebrating the excellence achieved by Southern Nevada’s public schools and to make the information describing best practices readily accessible to local educators.

The WorldWide Learning Connection is an international online community currently being developed to promote global understanding and provide students and teachers with real life opportunities to learn about cultural similarities and to celebrate diversity. 

The Public Education Foundation, in collaboration with education and business leaders throughout Nevada, has laid the groundwork and is developing a strategic plan to design, implement, and manage a state-of-the-art Leadership Institute for school trustees, superintendents, principals, and central office administrators.  We are identifying the  attributes of successful educational leaders and working to develop programs for principals, administrators, and superintendents which will strengthen their skills to lead our nation’s schools.