November 11, 2008

Brownsville Independent School District Awarded 2008 Broad Prize for Urban Education

The news is official—Brownsville (TX) Independent School District is the winner of the 2008 Broad Prize, the largest education prize in the country awarded to the most improved urban school district.

Former U.S. Secretaries of Education Richard Riley and Roderick Paige joined The Broad Foundation’s Eli Broad to announce the winner at an event held today at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City. NBC News Special Correspondent Tom Brokaw delivered the keynote address at a celebratory luncheon following the announcement.

Brownsville, located at the southern-most tip of Texas along the US-Mexico border, serves one of the poorest urban populations in America—with 94 percent of its students qualifying for free and reduced-priced school lunch.

The $2 million prize goes directly to graduating high school seniors in the winning and four finalist districts for college scholarships. As the winner of The Broad Prize, the Brownsville Independent School District will receive $1 million in college scholarships. The four finalists—Aldine Independent School District (TX); Broward County Public Schools (FL); Long Beach Unified School District (CA); and Miami-Dade County Public Schools (FL)—will each receive $250,000 in college scholarships.

Praise at the 2008 Broad Prize Announcement

“This will lift our district to the highest levels, but let me pay tribute to those who deserve it—our students, parents, teachers, staff and community.”

– Hector Gonzales, Superintendent, Brownsville Independent School District, 2008 Broad Prize-winning district

“You’re all winners. The fact you’re here means that you’re winners and the fact you have a personal and common commitment to education makes you a champion in my eyes.”

– Tom Brokaw

“Financial constraints not only inhibit your lifestyle but also your thoughts. The Broad Prize scholarship allowed me to dream.”

– I’John Gatewood, 2008 Broad Prize Scholar Speaker

“With all that’s going on, it is fitting that we’re assembled to celebrate one of the most important ways to fix our economy.”

– Joel Klein, Chancellor, New York City Department of Education, 2007 Broad Prize-winning district

For more information about The Broad Prize and other 2008 finalists, visit the website: www.broadprize.com.