Project Promise Receives Project Promise, a program to provide
curriculum and instructional strategies for teachers to
recognize and nurture advanced learning in economically
disadvantaged kindergarten through grade 2 students, was
recently awarded a three-year grant totaling $800,000. The Jacob
K. Javits grant was awarded to the Virginia Department of
Education (DOE), in partnership with George Mason University,
Greensville County, Martinsville City, Norfolk City, and Prince
William County public schools. Through Project Promise, teachers
from the Martinsville and Greensville County school divisions
will receive professional development to identify gifted
learning behaviors in students who are often underrepresented in
gifted programs. The training modules, designed by early
childhood education faculty at George Mason University, are
based on successful methods utilized by Norfolk and Prince
William County schools. The modules will focus on ways to
incorporate necessary skills critical and creative thinking,