$18M Gift Aims To Boost Math, Science in Harlem

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

The New York Sun

The city Department of Education is receiving its largest corporate grant ever, an $18 million gift from General Electric that will go toward improving Harlem middle schools, Mayor Bloomberg announced yesterday.

The grant is focused on math and science — subject areas in which General Electric’s chairman and CEO, Jeffrey Immelt, said American students are falling behind in worrisome proportions.

Working with outside partners such as Teachers College at Columbia University, General Electric will provide its employees as free labor to help out with generating student interest in the subjects.

The grant is part of a national program General Electric has already launched in five cities to direct more American students into math and science careers.

About 10 schools in Harlem are expected to participate in the program, which will last for five years.

Chancellor Joel Klein said curriculum help, teacher training, and restructuring of schools are possible components of the grant, which could be expanded citywide if it is shown to be successful.

Rep. Charles Rangel of Harlem, who helped secure the partnership, said he hopes the grant will mark a “turning point” in the way companies conceive of their purpose. The idea he wants to get across: “Americans are your shareholders,” he said.


The New York Sun

© 2025 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

or
By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use