Representatives from the U.S. Department of Education visited Georgia this week as part of the annual on-site visit for Race to the Top initiatives. As part of this visit, The US ED had requested to see programs receiving funding from the Innovation Fund, and the STEM program at 12 for Life was selected to be highlighted. The Carroll County School System was the recipient of a $1 million grant to provide innovative, high-impact, and applied STEM-related education for all students in the 12 for
Life program.

12 for Life is the innovative partnership between Southwire Company and Carroll County Schools that targets students with the highest level of drop-out risk. In addition to the Race to the Top STEM Innovation Grant, the school system was also awarded a $3 million grant through the Investing in Innovation (i3) grant to enter a new phase of STEM education at 12 for Life. Anticipated outcomes include improved STEM and applied learning education, enhanced student engagement, increased student achievement and capacity to succeed in STEM college and careers, and dissemination of the 12 for Life model nationwide.