34 This bill creates the Innovative Learning Fund and directs the Department of Education
35 to provide grants to school administrative units to promote innovative learning strategies
36 to address student achievement gaps. In awarding grants, the department must give special
37 consideration to school administrative units that demonstrate instructional partnerships
38 with professional organizations or companies and partnerships with institutions of higher
35 education and that provide specific data on closing the achievement gap for economically
36 disadvantaged students, racial and ethnic populations and students whose learning
37 achievements were negatively affected due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The bill
38 appropriates $2,000,000 in fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25 to provide such grants.