Disney Learning Partnership, a philanthropic initiative of the Walt Disney Co., has awarded $500,000 to the Center on School, Family and Community Partnerships at Johns Hopkins. The grant will accelerate the expansion of the center's National Network of Partnership Schools, which uses research-based strategies to help schools, districts and states organize, implement and evaluate programs of family and community involvement. More than 1,100 schools, 130 districts and 13 state departments of education are now working in the network; others are encouraged to join.

"The support from Disney Learning Partnership means we will have the staff necessary to guide a growing network and to develop new materials to help educators and families work productively to increase student learning," said Joyce Epstein, center director.

The grant will increase the scope and effectiveness of the network's action team training, interactive homework that engages students and parents, innovative Web site features and the recognition of outstanding partnership programs across the country.

"We're excited about supporting a national network that helps schools, families and communities work collaboratively to support students' success in school," said Laurie Lang, senior vice president and managing director of Disney Learning Partnership.

Disney Learning Partnership was founded as an outgrowth of Disney's American Teacher Awards, which for 10 years has honored extraordinary teachers. It supports grassroots, innovative efforts of American educators to promote student learning by focusing on teacher recognition and development, collaborative school-wide learning initiatives and strengthened parent-teacher connections. The Center on School, Family and Community Partnerships is part of the Center for Social Organization of Schools and the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences.