Los Angeles education philanthropists Bruce and Martha Karsh have pledged $3-million toward a plan to open new charter schools in the area, reports the Los Angeles Times.

The donation is the second major recent gift to help charter-school operator KIPP LA reach a goal of expanding in the next five years to 14 elementary and middle schools in the area from the current three. The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation gave $12-million last year.

The nationwide KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) network runs 66 schools in 19 states and the District of Columbia, many of which have achieved significant academic gains with largely poor and minority student bodies, the newspaper reports.

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