NewSchools Venture Fund, a nonprofit venture philanthropy firm, today announced the launch of NewSchools Ignite, a uniquely focused education technology accelerator that will support entrepreneurs tackling the most pressing gaps in K-12 education technology. NewSchools Ignite will catalyze product growth in specific areas deemed crucial to teachers and students and where innovation is noticeably lagging. NewSchools Ignite's first initiative, the Science Learning Challenge, is now open to companies and nonprofits building technologies that support students' development of science and engineering skills. NewSchools Ignite will distribute up to $1.5 million in grants to up to 15 challenge winners building digital tools that enhance science learning. Individual grants will range from $50,000-$150,000, depending on product stage.

Despite major changes in DC’s education reform landscape, the black-white achievement gap remains the largest in the country. According to the 2013

When the teachers of the year from across the country were asked in a Scholastic/Council of Great City Schools pol