In these times of tight school budgets, the Sioux Falls public schools education foundation has increased a new grant program that funds innovative classroom projects.

Last year's "Innovation In Education" grants went to two different reading programs. One, at Garfield Elementary, uses the "tucker signing strategies for reading". Children sign the sounds of the letter instead of it's name so they can sound out words. The other grant bought books for Washington high school students who struggle with reading. Teachers like Julie Aasen say the program really paid off.

"What we've found is the students are much more successful with what we have now because of the money that we were given," Aasen said.

There's now more of that money to go around. In 2007 the education foundation granted $2,000. This year, they'll give out $16,000 thanks to support from local businesses.

The word spread fast among teachers, resulting in 89 grant applications. There were only about 10 applications last year.

"What a tremendous number of great ideas these teachers have come up with for their different classes and their different schools," said Education Foundation board member Meredith Larson.

Though it's called the innovation in education grant, the money isn't intended to buy large electronics like laptops. In some cases it might be used to buy small electronics, but it all depends on how that technology will be used.

Larson said he hopes all the innovation helps spur even more support.

"We'll take this back to the business community as well and say, 'Here, this is the reaction we got to the $16,000, which is great, but we'd love to have more,'" Larson said. "So that next year the stack continues to grow."

The education foundation will announce which grants it has selected on November 18th. Those not chosen will also be considered for a grant from the community foundation.