A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

For Release:
August 1, 2000

News Media Contact:
Melinda Kitchell Malico
(202) 401-1008

Program Office Contact:
Deirdra Hilliard
(202) 260-2643

RILEY ANNOUNCES $45.3 MILLION IN GRANTS TO TRAIN
DRUG AND SAFETY COORDINATORS IN MIDDLE SCHOOLS

The U.S. Department of Education today announced $45 million in federal support to help schools nationwide fight drugs and make learning environments safer. The 113 school districts in 35 states receiving the grants will be able to recruit, hire and train middle school drug prevention and school safety coordinators.

"This $45 million will significantly help with intervention efforts that can make a real difference in creating safer schools and reducing drug use by young people," U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley said. "Together with comprehensive strategies to prevent school violence and drug use -- including smaller classes, after-school programs and focusing youth toward higher education and the future -- school-based coordinators can help schools create safe and orderly environments for learning."

Middle schools and students will benefit by using coordinators to:

• Identify and assist schools in adopting successful, research-based drug and violence prevention programs and strategies;

• Develop, conduct and analyze assessments of school drug and crime problems;

• Work with community organizations, parents and students to ensure collaboration;

• Identify additional funding sources for drug prevention and school safety program initiatives; and,

• Provide feedback to state educational agencies on successful programs and activities.

Research indicates that well-trained, full-time school safety and drug prevention coordinators can help reduce drug use, discipline problems and violent incidents. A 1997 U.S. Department of Education study found that coordinators are especially effective when they devote a significant amount of time to prevention programs; therefore, the program requires that coordinators work full-time on these programs.

Eligible schools are those in which at least one student was, within the previous year, suspended, expelled or transferred to an alternative school for possession, distribution or use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs, or for the possession or use of a weapon. Also eligible are schools that referred at least five students for substance abuse treatment or suspended, expelled or transferred to alternative schools at least five students for physical attacks or fights.

Coordinators serve up to seven schools; work solely on coordination of drug prevention or school safety programs; and must have a degree from an accredited four-year institution of higher education and an academic background or equivalent work experience in a field related to youth development.

The grants announced today include funding for the first two years of a three-year grant period.

NOTE TO EDITORS: A list of the 113 project descriptions will be available at www.ed.gov/offices/OSDFS. A list of grantees and contacts follows.

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MIDDLE SCHOOLS COORDINATORS GRANTS
FISCAL YEAR 2000