The North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation has awarded The Hill Center, Inc. $1.25 million to implement a reading and writing program in Durham Public Schools.  A portion of the award will also endow scholarships for students to attend the half-day program model at The Hill Center in Durham.  The grant will extend the success of the Hill Center Reading Achievement Program (HillRAP) for grades K-5 previously implemented in Durham schools, adding a new writing remediation program, HillWrite to the model. 

HillRAP, originally developed with funding from the Foundation and implemented in urban Durham public elementary schools from 2003-2006, will be extended to greater numbers of at-risk students and will also now include a writing remediation component, a content area targeted by the State of North Carolina for school improvement.  HillWrite, a written language curriculum for public schools will be developed and implemented, so that the Project will address reading and written language underachievement. 

"We are thrilled to be able to reach more teachers and students who are struggling with learning in Durham," said Sharon Maskel, Director of The Hill Center.  Dr. Carl Harris, Superintendent of Durham Public Schools said, "GlaxoSmithKline's investment in our schools will make a difference in many students lives and in our community."

The project will be implemented over 4 years to enhance reading and writing achievement among public school elementary students, improve the quality of school programs through professional development and training of teachers, and intervene at the elementary level with the public school population of students who struggle with reading and writing and who are thus at risk for school failure and ultimately, dropout.  It is estimated that 27 teachers will be trained in HillRAP and HillWrite throughout the project duration.  Through a multiplier effect, if each teacher teaches 20 students per year, then thousands of Durham students will benefit.

The $250,000 endowment gift for scholarships will assist families who want to send their students to The Hill Center in Durham for the half-day classes with a 4:1 student/teacher ratio.  The school offers intense remediation in reading, written language and math for students diagnosed with learning differences or ADHD in grades 1-12.

Currently, there are 180 students from 47 different public and private schools in the Triangle.  Sixty-five percent attend public schools for the rest of the day and 35% complete their school day at private schools, and they typically return full-time after two to three years.

Independent evaluation shows that students enrolled at The Hill Center and in HillRAP make over a year s growth in reading and math in one year of participation and that improvement was greater than would have been expected from an average student their age without learning difficulties.

The North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation supports activities that help meet the educational and health needs of today's society and future generations.  Focused primarily in North Carolina, the Foundation funds programs for the advancement of education, science and health.  The Foundation's Board of Directors believe that the programs supported lead to innovation and exciting change in North Carolina, and make a tremendous difference in the lives of Tar Heels.