El Dorado Education Foundation
The El Dorado Education Foundation (EDEF) is a non-profit organization that recognizes and promotes excellence in public school education in El Dorado. Education foundations are independent charitable organizations formed to help public schools.
Chair programs
The foundation has begun partnerships with the school district to start new and innovative Chair Programs in math, science, and foreign language, for students in kindergarten through graduation. These are believed to be the only ones of their kind in the state, and perhaps, in the nation, for public schools. They concentrate upon building students’ math, science, and foreign language skills, to help prepare them for the challenges of a 21st-century future. Some of the specific improvements implemented are pre-AP programs in math and science all the way down to the junior-high level at 7th grade, and foreign language instruction beginning at kindergarten. To date, EDEF has invested more than almost $1,000,000 in the three chairs programs.
Teacher Grants
If you were a teacher in the El Dorado Public Schools, you could apply for a grant to implement your innovative and creative project. Thanks to the generosity of donors – in 21 semesters, EDEF has awarded over $525,523 for 166 educational projects in all grades. Of these grants, for example, about 2/3rds have been in math and/or science-related areas. These grants provide students with learning activities that school budgets cannot cover – “hands-on” activities. Recently, four EDEF teacher grants, with their teachers, were chosen to take part in a national Magnet Schools of America conference.
Teacher Excellence Awards
The Teacher Excellence program is designed to honor superiority in the field of education. These teachers receive awards and money for exemplary performance. Ballots are accepted from parents and grandparents, other teachers, and students. Three ultimate winners are chosen. Everyone is honored at an awards program, with cash prizes and recognition. This program is designed to bring deserving teachers greater attention and honor. In 2006, the Outstanding Educator for the high school, Susan Johnson, won the Biology Teacher of the Year award for the entire state. To date, over $71,200 has been distributed in this program.
Other Projects
* Arkansas Scholars - designed with area employers, the Chamber of Commerce, plus others, this program helps high school students learn more about future career and college options, and how these directly relate to courses and grades. To join, students must sign up for a college-prep curriculum, keep their grades up, have good attendance, and graduate on time.
* Academic Signing Day – with the El Dorado Public Schools and Murphy Oil Corporation, it celebrates the academic excellence of all EHS students who receive scholarships, including those participating in the El Dorado Promise. EDEF is an official partner of the El Dorado Promise. The 2007 total scholarship amount was over $10 million.
* “Girls of Promise” Conference – this event is held for south Arkansas 8th-graders, to build interest in math and/or science careers. The keynote speaker in 2008 was Arkansas First Lady Ginger Beebe. The event included many sponsors and volunteers, and was held at South Arkansas Community College. It is overseen by the Arkansas Women’s Foundation.
