PENDLETON — South Madison Community School Corp. recently received a variety of grants, including several from Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) for reading, robotics and STEM education efforts.
According to the district, the $187,449 Science of Reading Grant for will be used “to help facilitate high-quality, ongoing, data-driven professional development opportunities for educators and leaders, support students identified as struggling readers in grades K-3, and purchase supplemental curricular materials in grades K-3 aligned with the science of reading.”
The training in
evidence-based reading instruction methods will enable teachers to provide high-quality literacy instruction to students, ultimately leading to improved proficiency on IREAD-3, according to a district release.
The corporation was also one of 68 recipients of the 2023-24 K-12 Robotics Competition Grant, an initiative by the IDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning.
“This grant underscores the district’s dedication to providing opportunities that ignite interest and enhance STEM skills through active participation in competitive robotics programs,” the release states.
SMCSC will use the $11,442 grant to support the new Pendleton Heights Middle School Robotics Club and its sponsor.
South Madison was also one of 31 recipients of the 2023-24 Digital Learning Parent and Family Support Grant.
The grant, facilitated by IDOE, was for $12,880. It’s meant to help the district plan to support parents and families with topics related to educational technology and blended/virtual learning environments, the release says.
It will “allow more training and support meetings for parents. Students will be trained to help facilitate parent learning at events.”
“We are elated to receive these grants, which will enable us to further enhance our STEM education initiatives and provide invaluable support to our parents and families in navigating the digital learning landscape,” Dr. Laura Miller, assistant superintendent of elementary curriculum, said in the release. “These grants align seamlessly with our commitment to delivering high-quality education and fostering a collaborative learning environment for our students.”
Besides these grants, the district also received other grants in 2023:

• Summer of Learning Grant ($18,000)
• Digital Coaching Grant ($10,000)
• Digital Learning Grant ($50,000)
• Literacy Cadre Grant ($100,000)
• Paraprofessional Grant ($18,946)
• 3E-Career Exploration Grant ($15,000)
• Counseling Grant ($184,671)