The Robin Hood Foundation has announced a $1 million grant from J.P. Morgan Chase to the Relay School of Education, a new teacher-training program that works to prepare teachers for New York City schools serving primarily low-income students.

Made through the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, the grant will support the implementation of a results-oriented curriculum that uses video observation to reinforce practice-based, real-world instruction. Open only to current teachers or those with job offers in a New York City district or charter public school, the master's program requires that all graduates demonstrate clear improvement in student performance before receiving a degree.

Formerly operated as Teacher U at Hunter College's School of Education, the Relay program will draw from the knowledge and best practices of three charter school networks — KIPP, Uncommon Schools, and Achievement First. Over the next five years, the program expects to enroll eight hundred K-12 teachers in New York City.

"Robin Hood believes that education is the most powerful tool we have in fighting poverty," said Robin Hood executive director David Saltzman. "Deepening the pool of teachers in urban environments is instrumental in closing the achievement gap."