JP Morgan Chase Donates $50,000 to the Chalkboard Project

New Funds Will Aid in the Expansion of the CLASS Project

PORTLAND- June 17, 2011- Today JPMorgan Chase demonstrated their support for teacher-led reforms through a $50,000 grant to the Chalkboard Project. The generous gift will go toward the expansion of the CLASS (Creative Leadership Achieves Student Success) Project.

Phyllis Campbell, Chairman of the Pacific Northwest for JPMorgan Chase, delivered the award, “We are pleased to be making this investment in Oregon school districts. The outcomes of the CLASS Project have inspired us and we see amazing potential in giving more teacher leaders the opportunity to drive change in their districts.”

The CLASS Project provides a framework through which districts create comprehensive systems to support effective teaching. Every participating district addresses four components: expanded career paths, effective teacher evaluations, relevant professional development and new compensation models. The districts tailor the components to meet staff and student needs, but every CLASS Project district is focused on student achievement.

“We are very grateful for the support of the CLASS Project from JPMorgan Chase. Ideally, every educator in Oregon should have the opportunity to participate in a process that empowers him or her as a professional and improves outcomes for students. This gift brings us closer to that ideal and we will continue to work at the state level to make it a reality,” said Sue Hildick, Chalkboard Project President.

This grant represents a portion of JPMorgan Chase’s giving to education initiatives in Oregon and is one of several by JPMorgan Chase as part of their overall support of innovative educational initiatives including a recent grant to the Portland Schools Foundation.

Photo by Amaren Colosi Photography