Federal grant to boost charter schools in Nevada

The U.S. Department of Education will send Nevada a nearly $8 million grant to fund the creation and expansion of its charter school program.

In its first year of funding, the $7.9 million award will allow the Nevada Department of Education to offer competitive grants to support new or expanded public charter schools, according to a news release.

The federal department of education announced the grant Monday as part of $125 million in awards to eight states. It will recommend boosting Nevada's total funding to more than $16.4 million, though the final amount depends on congressional action, the release reads.

In a letter sent to states, the federal department stressed the importance of financial accountability for charter schools receiving the grants. It will require a reevaluation of each charter's academic and financial performance at least once every five years.

Contact Neal Morton at nmorton@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279. Find him on Twitter: @nealtmorton