California To Make Second Attempt in Race to the Top
Race to the Top is a $4.35 billion federal initiative to reshape America’s educational system and to prepare our students for success in a competitive 21st century economy and workplace. The US Department of Education’s goal with Race to the Top is to spur progressive reforms in K-12 education at both the state level and local district level. California was one of 40 states seeking Phase One funding from Race to the Top. Unfortunately, California did not make the cut in this round of the competition. “I am disappointed that California was not selected as a finalist in Phase One of the Race to the Top competition,” shared California Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell.
As noted by Theresa Harrington of the Contra Costa Times, each school, district-run or charter, that participated in Phase One of Race to the Top signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that outlined the following requirements:
- Pilot new student achievement growth accountability data.
- Train teachers in using data to enhance teaching.
- Improve teacher and principal effectiveness based on performance.
- Turn around lowest-achieving schools.
- Collaborate in statewide reform efforts.
Dublin Unified School District (DUSD) was one of 813 California school districts and charter schools that signed this MOU. The California Teachers Association vehemently opposed participation in Race to the Top, because it does not want to tie teacher evaluations to objective measurements like student test scores.
The 16 Phase One finalists were successful because they took bold actions to make their applications more competitive. The State of Illinois lifted a cap on the number of charter schools it allows. The State of Massachusetts made it easier for students in low-performing district-run schools to switch to charter schools. Although unsuccessful in its initial bid, the State of West Virginia deserves an honorable mention for its proposal of a merit-based pay system that included student achievement in its compensation calculations.
Next Steps for California
The U.S. Department of Education will have about $3.4 billion available for Phase Two of Race to the Top. Integrating feedback from its Phase One application, California will submit an application for Phase Two of Race to the Top. California school districts and charter schools that are interested in participating will need to sign a new MOU that reflects the state’s proposal for Round Two of the competition. California will be one of four states competing for $350-$700M of Category 1 funding. Other states will be competing in Categories 2-5. The deadline for Phase Two applications is June 1, 2010. Phase Two winners will be announced in September 2010.
Related Articles
No related articles.
6:34 PM on April 20th, 2010
Herman Munster???
6:55 PM on April 20th, 2010
com’on…it’s herman munster from that tv series.
8:05 PM on April 20th, 2010
a total herman munster for sure!!
1:34 PM on April 22nd, 2010
Race to the Top is just NCLB in new clothing.
3:48 PM on May 31st, 2010
i wholeheartedly agree with this poster. the “race to the top” program is nclb in new and more vicious wolf’s clothing..
however, i am not surprised that california would buy into this instead re-investing in its own systems. every time they misappropriate funds, they ask for handouts to “fix” what they should have been managing all along. why aren’t these policymakers being held accountable for their “brilliant” ideas? where is the performance review? why are they still allowed to make decisions for parents, teachers, and districts and not be held accountable for their failures? why do the students have to pay for the policymakers’ mistakes? this is insane. someone told me that if public schools were a business, they’d fold because they consistently manufacture defective product. and it comes from management – not training properly, not providing the right resources, spending money on unnecessary overhead, not reinvesting wisely, and not delegating to those who have the skills to understand what it takes to run the shop floor.
these millions are not going to fix the failing school system. lausd has got to be the worst with its in-fighting and in-breeding of nonsensical policies. we need visionaries. and i can almost guarantee that the money will not be distributed proportionately. the inner-cities schools will continue to be in a “disadvantaged” position to either secure more dollars for doing the bare minimum or they will continue to get worse until the city or state determines they must control it…it’s been done before. those communities need to be in control of the education they children are getting as well. poor does not mean dumb. but the labeling will always be that looming cloud reminding them that “disadvantaged” means dependence on systems…
i’d like the see the money go to an external team of teachers, parents, and former administrators to review the performances of current local and state-wide district policymakers. then effect a law that will evaluate their performances of the schools that are under their watch. if the panel determines they have been inefficient, they have the right to re-assign. of course, i would move that the panel be changed every couple of years to avoid favoritism. who would run for these positions if they know they will be held accountable? who would stay? and what other institution would hire them if they have a poor review that caused them to lose the post? hmmm….
maybe teachers can then have the freedom to teach without stressing about test scores and the students might possibly begin to enjoy the learning experience, which will improve their test scores…
this “pimpin my school out for $$$” just makes me sick!