Obama Announces Education Innovation Grants

BLADENSBURG, Md. (AP) — President Barack Obama is announcing grants to schools and communities that are implementing innovative education programs that help students gain work experience.

The more than $100 million in grants are the result of an Obama executive order last year designed to better prepare high school students for college or for careers. Money for the program comes from fees that companies pay for visas to hire foreign workers for specialized jobs.

Obama is announcing the grants at Bladensburg High School, one of three high schools in Washington's Maryland suburbs that have created a Youth CareerConnect Program. Other recipients include the Los Angeles Unified School District, the New York City Department of Education as well as school districts in Denver, Indianapolis and Clinton, S.C.