You’ve probably all heard of “Race to the Top”.  I’ve talked about it a couple of times in the blog, and there’s been plenty of info about it in the news.  Just in case you’ve been too busy with life, I’ll review the highlights for you…

Race to the Top is a Federal grant program.  States are invited to apply and if successful in their application, must pass on 50% of the award to the districts that have signed on to participate.  Here, from the US Dept. of Education website:

          “Through Race to the Top, we are asking States to advance reforms around four specific areas:

  • Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace and to compete in the global economy;
  • Building data systems that measure student growth and success, and inform teachers and principals about how they can improve instruction;
  • Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals, especially where they are needed most; and
  • Turning around our lowest-achieving schools.”

With the signing in October of SB 19 (which deleted existing language in state law that prevented the state from using pupil data in teacher assignment and evaluation), California is forging ahead to get their application in place for the chance at some much needed money.  States that will receive the award will be notified in April, according to the website.

According to an article in the San Mateo Daily Journal (Jan. 5), almost 800 school districts statewide have submitted letters of intent to participate.  This is not surprising, given the budget concerns many districts are facing.  Here’s the complete list from the California Dept. of Ed website, if you’d like to see it.  Yes, CUSD is on the list.

What does this mean for CUSD?  Well, if CUSD participates and California is successful in obtaining the Race to the Top grant, it could bring some money our way to the tune of about $4mil a year for four years.  That is some much needed cash.  In order to catch this money train before it leaves the station, CUSD must submit an MOU (Memo of Understanding) to the State by Friday, Jan. 8.  Dr. Cash has asked our Governing Board to act on this motion at the Jan. 6 Board meeting. 

Those of you who have read the blog before will likely remember that I have expressed concern regarding the efforts to tie teacher evaluation and compensation to student achievement.  This is a concept referenced in the Race to the Top reforms.  This is still a concern of mine, however after a 90 minute meeting with Dr. Cash, I feel a little better about how it might look for us.  Dr. Cash assures me that this is an area over which CUSD has complete control.  We can create a model for teacher evaluation and/or compensation that will fit our core values and educational needs.  When it comes to compensation, we don’t have to create a system that pits teachers or schools against each other, but one in which cooperation and sharing of best practices is rewarded.  I grew up in CUSD under the Competition Model.  Been there, done that, bought the T-Shirt… We don’t have to do that again.  But we can create a model that works for us, based on multiple measures of growth.  As for evaluations, the “reform” the government is talking about could be as simple as adding a single piece to our current evaluation forms.  Whatever is decided, it will be CUSD’s decision, and not something dictated by an outside agency.  Dr. Cash also stated that any changes that affect teachers’ compensation or evaluation would not be made in isolation at the District Office.  Faculty Senate and the teachers we represent would have a place at the table as options are explored and decisions made. 

In a press release quoted by the San Mateo Daily Journal, State Superintendent Jack O’Connell said “I’m delighted that almost half of our local educational agencies already have stepped up to the challenge and agreed to partner with the state in making the fundamental education reforms called for in the Race to the Top competition.”  Personally, I don’t see many sweeping fundamental reforms we should make here in CUSD.  You can call me arrogant if you like, but I’m not alone in that assessment.  Here’s my proof.

In examining the Race to the Top application, there are many things we are already doing which are called for under the grant requirements.  Looking again at the bullet points from the US Dept. of Ed website copied above, some easy connections stand out.  For example, Standards-based assessments like the Math Benchmarks and LAFT not only ‘inform instruction’, but ‘prepare students for success…’.  Edusoft (like it or hate it; that’s a blog for another day) is a data system we use that would seem to meet the intentions of the second bullet point.  The PLC process also has elements which fit the requirements.  Our TGLE’s, PGLE’s and the CLASSI program all have a place within the outlined reforms…so we are ahead of the curve.  That is good news. 

Even so, I was still wary.  In my mind, I was trying to balance how badly we need the money (pretty damn bad) with how much of our soul we are willing to sell to the devil (government money, it seems, always comes with strings attached).  As I shared those concerns with Dr. Cash, he told me that in this particular case, if we are awarded the grant, and for some reason decide we don’t like the ‘strings’, we can back out.  That’s it.  We just quit.  AND we don’t have to repay any grant money already received at that point. 

I don’t know about you, but I feel better.  Put on your athletic shoes; we’re joining the race.

—-LisaMarie