![Actors, Artists Aim to Turn Around Failing Schools](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2012/04/KGVO-state-wide-logo-300x200.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Actors, Artists Aim to Turn Around Failing Schools
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sarah Jessica Parker, Kerry Washington and Forest Whitaker are signing up for a new initiative with the Obama administration to adopt failing schools and help turn them around by integrating arts education throughout the schools.
On Monday, the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities will announce a new Turnaround Arts initiative for eight schools with officials from the White House and U.S. Department of Education.
Artist Chuck Close, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, dancer Damian Woetzel and actress Alfre Woodard also are adopting schools in the two-year program.
Organizers selected low-performing, high-poverty elementary and middle schools to participate. They are in New Orleans, Denver, Boston, Washington, Des Moines, Iowa, Portland, Ore., Bridgeport, Conn., and Lame Deer, Mont. Each school was receiving a federal School Improvement Grant to help boost achievement.
More From Newstalk KGVO 1290 AM & 98.3 FM
![Montana State Announces New Remote Work Certification Course](http://townsquare.media/site/15/files/2022/01/attachment-arthur-lambillotte-EYobsXWCY-k-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Youth Only Pheasant, Waterfowl Hunt Starts Next Weekend in Montana](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2018/09/ring-necked-pheasantMDweb.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Report Shows More Economic Stability is Needed for Montana Families](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2021/06/attachment-RS11609_120749510.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Risky Populations: States with the Most College Students](http://townsquare.media/site/241/files/2021/01/shutterstock_64165825-scaled-e1595968950800.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Superintendent Arntzen Announces 2021 Legislative Priorities](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2020/10/featured-image.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Finalist for National Teacher of the Year Says Teaching in Montana Is Her “Niche,” Talks About Unique Experience](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2020/01/featured-image-3.png?w=980&q=75)
![Test Scores for Elementary and Middle Schools are Stagnant](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2019/10/school-kids.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Appeal – MT Supreme Court Accused of Unconstitutional Decision in School Tax Credit Case](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2018/12/GettyImages-939251678.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![State Begins to Backfill Funding Cuts in K -12 Education, Special Ed](http://townsquare.media/site/116/files/2016/02/RS11386_71553752-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)