Did anyone here avail themselves of the opportunity to join in the planning stages?
Some examples:
Teacher Elements of Final Race to the Top Guidelines
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/teacherbeat/2009/11/changes_to_teacher_elements_of.htmlIEA, NEA input helps shape Race to the Top
November 15, 2009 by IEA Communications
RTTT Input provided by IEA, NEA and other state affiliates has positively impacted the final rules for the federal program that will have states compete for $4.35 billion to improve education quality and results statewide.
IEA was among more than 1,100 organizations and individuals that provided feedback to the Department of Education about how Race to the Top (RTTT) should work. Among the areas where the feedback appears to have resulted in a better proposal:
* RTTT Rules on teacher and principal evaluations now include language on multiple measures and focus on student growth and learning (as opposed to a primary focus on student assessments). The rules also call for feedback to be provided to educators to improve instruction,
* The section on school improvement now recognizes school transformation as an equal option of four available options; this model calls for the dismissal of the principal, but keeps the teachers,
* The section focused on high-performing charter schools, now includes language providing for “innovative, autonomous schools” not just charter schools.
-more-
http://illinoiseducationassociation.org/featured/iea-nea-input-helps-shape-race-to-the-top/*****
NEA's Response to Race to the Top
On August 21, the National Education Association submitted comments to the Department of Education regarding Race to the Top, a $4.3 billion grant intended to reward innovation in education. Below is the text of NEA's letter accompanying the comments. (Read the full comments here.)
. . . On Friday, July 24, 2009, the Department of Education unveiled a package of proposals and priorities designed to invite comment on ways to reform the public education system in this country—the Race to the Top proposal subsequently was published in the Federal Register. It is clear that this Administration cares about students and it is clear that NEA and this Administration share the same goal: to dramatically transform the public education system so that every public school is a center of excellence and all students gain the skills and education they need to become lifelong learners and healthy, productive citizens in this global society.
http://www.nea.org/home/35447.htm*****
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
RACE TO THE TOP ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS AND REQUEST FOR INPUT
To inform the design of this program and the development of a notice inviting applications that
establishes the requirements for this competition and to provide technical assistance to States, the Secretary is
seeking input from States, technical experts, and members of the public through public meetings and written
submissions. Following the public meetings and review the written submissions, the Department intends to
publish a notice inviting applications for such a competition.
. . . Public meetings will have two parts:
• Input from invited panels of experts and stakeholders
― Invited panelists will have a set amount of time to individually respond to the questions in the notice
― Department representatives will ask questions of individual panelists and facilitate cross-panelist
discussion
• Open opportunity to share input
― Each meeting will have 60 to 90 minutes dedicated to opportunities for interested members of the
public, who have registered to speak, to respond to the questions in the notice
― Each individual scheduled to speak will have 5 minutes to provide oral input
― Written submission will also be accepted
. . . QUESTIONS FOR INPUT
The specific questions on which the Department seeks input are listed below.
www2.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop-assessment/executive-summary.pdf
*****
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
RACE TO THE TOP FUND – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NOTICE OF PROPOSED PRIORITIES, REQUIREMENTS, DEFINITIONS, AND SELECTION CRITERIA
". . .The State’s application must comprehensively address each of the four education reform areas to demonstrate
that the State and its participating LEAs are taking a systemic approach to education reform. The State’s
application must describe how the State and participating LEAs intend to use Race to the Top and other
funds to implement comprehensive and coherent policies and practices in the four education reform areas,
and how these are designed to increase student achievement, reduce the achievement gap across student
subgroups, and increase the rates at which students graduate from high school prepared for college and
careers.
. . . The extent to which the State, in collaboration with its participating LEAs. . . The extent to which the State, in collaboration with its participating LEAs.. . The extent to which the State, in collaboration with its participating LEAs. . . .
http://opi.mt.gov/PDF/Supt/Fed_Stimulus/RTTT/RTTT%20Executive%20Summary.pdf*******
The 'Race to the Top' Has Already Started in St. Louis
Randi Weingarten
President, American Federation of Teachers
Posted: August 31, 2009 05:27 PM
. . . Competition over the generous portion of the federal stimulus funds for public schools -- called "Race to the Top" funds -- is set to begin shortly. But what I saw in St. Louis demonstrated that the race has already begun, and that city's collaboration, support for teachers, community schools and innovative labor agreements could provide a model for the rest of us.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/randi-weingarten/the-race-to-the-top-has-a_b_273211.html*****
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