Money makes a lot of things happen, but can it drive more states to tackle comprehensive school reform?

States have been working hard to put in place the changes required to apply for the first set of $4.35 billion federal Race to the Top funds that were included in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) or stimulus bill. The Race to the Top program funds states (and in 2011, may fund individual districts) to take on system-wide school improvements that focus on four areas: common, internationally benchmarked standards; effective teachers and principals; data to inform decisions; and turnaround of struggling schools.

The deadline for the first round of funding ("Phase 1") was January 19, 2010 -- and 40 states and the District of Columbia submitted applications, more than the Administration expected. Winners will be announced in April.  A second round of state applications is due in June, with winners announced in September.  Ten states – Alaska, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Texas, Vermont and Washington – did not apply for Phase 1.

In a January 19 conference call with reporters, Education Secretary said the program was already helping to “drive significant change” around the country. “Forty-eight states are working together to develop common college-ready ... standards. A dozen states have amended or protected their charter laws,” he said. “Best of all, at the local and state levels, stakeholders are working together in collaboration to develop comprehensive reform plans. Superintendents, unions, elected officials, governors, and administrators—everyone is stepping up and taking responsibility.”

Teacher Evaluation and Dismissal: a Controversial Area
One of the areas targeted for reform is teacher evaluation, retention and dismissal – an area where many teachers’ unions have been most entrenched, opposing dismisals linked to evaluation and student achievement. Randi Weingarten, the American Federation of Teacher's leader in New York City, has shifted course, pledging to work with districts to streamline procedures for dismissing teachers who fail to improve their performance after receiving help and support. Or did she?

Gov. Schwarzenegger (R-CA) is proposing legislation that allows for other criteria besides seniority to be used in teacher dismissals, but teacher union support was lukewarm: "Teachers need protection from principals who go after them for personal reasons," said Marty Hittelman, president of the California Federation of Teachers, as reported in the Los Angeles Times.

The California teacher’s union may refuse to sign the Memorandum of Understanding for California’s application, according to EdWeek.

Tennessee is among states seeking ways to change dismissal procedures in hopes of gaining Race to the Top funding, according to this article in the Tenneseean. Illinois has already passed a new dismissal law, covered in a State Journal Register article.

"Charter"-ing the Course
Another area where states can get extra “points” is in supporting quality charter schools. A January report from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools finds that 13 states continue to cap the growth of charter schools and another 11 have yet to enact laws establish public charter schools.

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools has culled the best from the different state charter school laws to offer a model that incorporates the core values of the charter school movement -- quality and accountability, funding equity, facilities support, autonomy, and growth and choice.The Alliance’s new database ranks each state according to the 20 components the Alliance laid out in a model policy they developed in 2009.

Massachusetts is among the states seeking to boost charter school laws in positioning for Race to the Top dollars, reports the Boston Globe.

Alabama Governor Bob Riley (R) recently joined all other members of the State Board of Education in approving a bipartisan resolution that urges the Legislature to pass a charter schools law.

Getting and Using Consistent Data
As a condition for receiving State Fiscal Stabilization Funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, every governor and chief state school officer has agreed to develop statewide longitudinal data systems that can follow individual students from early learning through K-12 to postsecondary education and into the workforce. 

A recent American Youth Policy Forum brief outlines how states can meet the challenges in sharing data across agencies.

Is Refusal an Option?
Of course, states could just say no to the money, as Texas Governor Rick Perry (R) has done.

But ignoring the Race to the Top benchmarks is risky. President Obama has announced he will seek $1.35 billion in next year’s federal budget to expand the Race to the Top competition, making it a permanent fixture. He also has announced his intention to expand the competition to include local school districts that are committed to reform.  

Learn More:

• A new White House fact sheet details revised state- and community-level educational policies and practices consistent with Race to the Top criteria.

• President Obama requested an additional $1.35 billion in his fiscal year 2011 budget to continue the Race to the Top challenge.

• Q&A with Secretary Duncan – during a January 19, 2010, conference call with reporters, Secretary Duncan discussed Race to the Top (you can listen to the MP3 file or read the transcript).

• Concerns About Race to the Top video and online forum - join the conversation on the National Journal's Education blog.
  

Jan Richter, editor emeritus
jan@connectforkids.org