INNOVATION GRANTS were awarded to 477 teachers in the Los Angeles Unified, Long Beach Unified and Torrance school districts. This year the grants are dedicated to the memory of Helen Bernstein.

For a quick sample of the creative work of teachers developed with a grant from the Fund for Innovation take "A Walk In the Rain Forest," which profiles the work of Gloria Matoba and Jody Bubica and their project to help their students learn about the fragile rain forest ecosystem.

Improving math and science instruction in schools is emphasised with Toyota support. The 1996-1997 Toyota Innovation Grants in Mathematics and Science provided $82,297 in support of 168 classroom projects.

More than 7 million children growing up in poor communities--kids who have the greatest need for the benefits of a good education--are too often served by the worst schools, according to the 1997 KID Count Data Book, a state-by-state survey of children's well-being recently released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Academy of Travel and Tourism

Students shadow Century Plaza Hotel employees as they examine careers in the travel and tourism industry.

Feedback

Read what Learning Exchange readers think about the proposed Belmont Learning Center and the appointment of Ruben Zacarias.