(November 29, 2000) — The California Department of Education recently awarded Clark the Advanced Placement (AP) Challenge Grant to provide funding for software or hardware and teacher training for AP courses. In a period of four years, Clark Magnet will receive up to $75,000. “This grant is a gift to the school,” said principal Doug Dall. “It will help to develop new programs and help other students who might not have been able to do so, to take AP classes.” Teachers will go through professional development or training classes where they are taught techniques on how to instruct students in AP classes. This program also involves the teachers attending conferences where they can interact with other educators. In addition to training classes, the grant will also enable Clark to participate in a program called vertical teaming. This program involves AP instructors teaming up with middle school teachers to help students be better prepared to take AP classes when they reach high school. The grant will also enable Clark to set up online classes where AP students and teachers can interact on the Web. The details for these classes are not yet known. Since last spring, Clark Magnet had been part of a priority list which included schools with minimal or no AP classes in the Los Angeles area. The Department of Education picks schools from that list that are in need of improvement or additions to their Advance Placement programs. Clark was included in that list due to the few AP classes that were available in its second year. Though Clark has been given this grant, librarian Susan Newcomer is still working on the financial plan that will be submitted to the Department of Education. The financial plan will explain exactly how the money will be spent. It will also include the reasons why Clark should receive the grant and how it will assist the school. “It’s really going to help us as a new school to provide high quality AP classes,” Newcomer said. Clark is also eligible for the Digital High School grant that will provide up to $300,000 for technological equipment such as LCD projectors and laptops. Newcomer is also currently working on the financial plans for a multimedia and an engineering grant that will provide programs for students on campus.