Illinois Public Media Partners on Department of Education Grant to provide Media Literacy Training
March 15, 2013
In 2012, Illinois Public Media (Urbana, Illinois) received a grant from the Champaign Community Unit School District #4 to provide media literacy training for both students and teachers. The district was awarded a multimillion dollar Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) grant from the U.S. Department of Education of which $78,000 went to Illinois Public Media for their participation in the project from 2012 to 2015.
Of the three magnet schools covered under the MSAP grant, Illinois Public Media is working directly with the Stratton Leadership and MicroSociety Magnet School (Stratton) of Champaign, Illinois. The funds allow Illinois Public Media to help students and teachers at Stratton create, maintain and staff their 21st Century Digital Media Center. This video production center gives students in grades two through five the opportunity to anchor newscasts, write and videotape stories, edit video and publish content to the school website. Illinois Public Media created the Center’s curriculum, aligning it with state standards. During the three year grant period, Illinois Public Media will provide in-school training and professional development for students and teachers so that by the end of the project in 2015, students and teachers will be able to run the Media Center on their own.
Illinois Public Media has a long and impressive history of working with youth and schools in media production making them an excellent fit for the project at hand. However, it was their close relationship with the school district that ultimately led to this partnership. Illinois Public Media worked with district middle schools for years on an afterschool program. Through this, the station built close connections with district administrators, including the district grantwriter. It was the grantwriter, familiar with the station’s work and impact, who reached out to Illinois Public Media on this particular opportunity. Had the district not been aware of the station’s work in education, this unique partnership would have never developed.
It took years of working with local middle schools and cultivating relationships before a partnership on the district level was possible. While part of it may be luck, there are other factors that have contributed to Illinois Public Media’s success. Kimberlie Kranich, Illinois Public Media Director of Community Content and Engagement stresses the importance of bringing something to offer. Kranich states “If they don’t need it or can’t see the fit, then nothing will happen”. The station’s experience working with district schools showed the Champaign school district Illinois Public Media would be a valued partner.
For those looking to build and/or strengthen relationships with area school districts, Kranich recommends building a relationship with the district grantwriter. This can help your station determine a district’s needs. Additionally, being present at school board meetings with students and creating teacher testimonials are a great way to show your station’s value and impact to key decision makers in the district. Patience and persistence are key factors in any stations success.
