Grant funds exploration of private sector’s role in education

The city of Las Vegas will use a nearly $100,000 grant to identify whether private sector interests could fund early childhood education and development programs for at-risk children.

The Policy Innovation Lab, an academic organization housed at the University of Utah, announced the grant on Wednesday as part of six total projects that will provide city, county and state governments with the funds to develop social intervention programs in their communities.

With its award, the city will work with the state, county and local non-profit organization Children’s Advocacy Alliance to conduct a feasibility study to find service providers to help increase kindergarten readiness, improve third-grade literacy and reduce the need for special education, according to a news release.

The full $76,780 grant will fund additional staffing, technical support and other needs, the release reads.

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