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The Champions of Active Learning program (C.A.L.) is an outcome-based middle grades initiative. The program seeks to engage students in hands-on discovery and experiential learning activities that are focused on improving student achievement and that are aligned with state and district academic standards. Operating with great success in the New York City Public Schools since 1991 and expanded to include other states since 1997, the C.A.L. program in 2002 now reaches 13 cities across the country.
Public Education Network (PEN) and JPMorgan Chase Foundation sponsor the national Champions of Active Learning program. Houston Independent School District middle schools are eligible to apply. PEN, a national nonprofit organization that assists local communities in their efforts to provide quality education to all students, is the administrator of the national Champions of Active Learning Program. The JPMorgan Chase Foundation has supported the Champions of Active Learning program since its inception. The Houston A+ Challenge, an affiliate of PEN, administers the program locally in collaboration with Houston ISD.
"At JPMorgan Chase, we understand the importance of helping the next generation and serving the community. We are pleased to offer this program to HISD middle schools," said David Mendez, Chairman of JPMorgan Chase Bank- Houston Region.
Each year up to five projects in each of the 13 cities are selected to participate in the C.A.L. program. Each school receives $5,000 to implement its project.
There is a two-phase selection process. First, a local team reviews all proposals submitted by individual schools in HISD, selecting up to 10 proposals to forward to the national review panel. This local site selection team comprises representatives from JPMorgan Chase, Houston A+ and HISD. Subsequently, PEN and a national review team selects up to five winning proposals from each district.
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