Mass. officials announce grants for Gateway cities

BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts officials are announcing that the state will be offering competitive grants to support early career education and intensive English language instruction for students in the state's most financially strapped cities.  

Gov. Deval Patrick's office said Monday that the grants are part of the administration's Gateway Cities Education Agenda.  The state's Education Department will award $3.5 million through grants: totaling $500,000 to support Career Academies, which will provide students with career exploration opportunities and $3 million to operate Summer English Learning Academies in 2013.  

The Gateway Cities education program looks to increase educational achievement by providing students with "targeted and accelerated" opportunities to learn the English language, as well as provide high school students with career information and guidance.