Three Texarkana Arkansas Schools To Receive $11.4M in Grants

The Texarkana Arkansas School District has received the prestigious federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program Grant from the Department of Education, totaling $11,457,355. This grant will be distributed over a period of five years.

The Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) grant will support the Texarkana Arkansas School District in launching the Legacy Project. This initiative was conceived in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, as district leaders sought to address its impact on students and families. The Legacy Project's foundation has been built over the past three years, aiming to help students reconnect with their education and assist families in bridging educational gaps.

This forward-thinking project represents the district’s commitment to continuous improvement and meaningful student learning. The project will establish three K-5 learning pathways incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) at the following schools:

Harmony Leadership

This will be a leadership academy focused on storytelling and exploration through music and the arts. By integrating music and the arts into the curriculum, the academy will foster creativity and self-expression.

Kilpatrick Elementary

This school will become a First Responders Academy with three areas of focus, providing students with curriculum and real-world experiences related to the roles of first responders and medical personnel.

Fairview Elementary

This school will emphasize humanities and innovation, promoting respect, acceptance, and understanding among diverse cultural groups. Students will gain the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to thrive in a diverse society.

The Legacy Project will collaborate closely with Texarkana businesses and higher education institutions to utilize their expertise and form partnerships with the project schools. These collaborations will enrich students’ learning through project-based learning units, offer shadowing and internship opportunities, emphasize civic and community service learning, and expand summer and weekend enrichment programs.

Project-based learning (PBL) will be the primary educational approach in these schools. PBL has been a part of TASD for over ten years, allowing students to tackle real-world problems through individual and group projects. According to a 2021 study by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, “Rigorous PBL has a positive impact on students, leading to increased achievement and higher levels of motivation.”

Dr. Lloyd Jackson, Superintendent of Schools, remarked, “This latest grant underscores TASD’s ongoing success in securing funding through the Magnet Schools Assistance Program, with over $34 million awarded previously. The funding for the Legacy Project reaffirms TASD’s commitment to providing robust, relevant educational opportunities that cater to the diverse needs of our students.”

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