Foundation, state’s $300,000 to help state college students

Colleges and universities in the state will receive a $300,000 boost in part from a national philanthropic effort aimed at helping adult learners and low-income or racial-minority-group students succeed in first-year English and mathematics courses.

A $150,000 Kresge Foundation grant announced Tuesday and state matching funds of $150,000 are going to help schools take part in what is called the Strong Start to Finish network.

The Strong Start initiative, supported by the Education Commission of the States, in Arkansas will involve redesigning foundational English and math courses through the use of evidence-based practices, according to the announcement.

“The state is set to help many more students, especially those underprepared, through Strong Start. The students will be able to complete gateway English and math courses, and eventually credentials and degrees,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said in a statement.

The matching dollars are being pulled from the state’s rainy-day fund and allocated via the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, said Hutchinson spokesman J. R. Davis.

The Kresge grant goes to the state Department of Higher Education in partnership with the nonprofit Arkansas Community Colleges association.

Last year the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation & Affiliates (now known as Ascendium Education Group) and the Kresge Foundation partnered to provide initial funding for the Strong Start to Finish effort.