The Tucson Unified School District is set to receive $608,758.50 from the Arizona Department of Economic Security.
The grant will fund resources for Afghan refugee students and their families.
The district’s governing board approved an agreement with the state agency on Monday. The goal is to increase the number of Afghan students passing their core classes and get more of them on track to graduate.
Frank Armenta is TUSD’s assistant superintendent of leadership and student success.
“We don’t necessarily know what they’re struggling with when they come to us, but we want to make sure that we are ready and to meet those students and families where they are, taking some of that assessment as they come in,” Armenta said.
He said the district will establish a multi-tiered system of support for families as they get settled in Tucson.
“Part of the vision here is to make sure that we provide them education, but also opportunities for other resources, whether it is our clothing bank, whether it’s hygiene,” Armenta said. “Also part of this grant is also working with families on English language opportunities.”
He said a key part of the initiative is engaging with parents, making sure they’re aware of the services available to them, and familiarizing them with the American education system.
“Working with our existing high schools and providing them additional support for them to achieve well,” Armenta said. “[We’ll be] providing specialists that will shadow students in the classrooms.
