Yesterday, Governor Gregoire submitted our state’s Race to the Top application. Here is a short summary of the proposal that shows the following level of support across the state.
Signatures on Partnership Agreements Percent
School district superintendent 100%
School board president (238 of 265) 90%
Teacher union president; districts with unions (171 of 249) 69%
Principal representative (223 of 258) 86%
All the listed positions signed for our district. It is interesting to see that all superintendents signed on, but not all school board presidents and principals. I would struggle with not having alignment and would think that it could influence distribution to the locals if the state’s proposal were to be funded. Thirty-five states and the District of Columbia have applied in round two.
In this AP article we learn that the education department believes that 10-15 grants will be awarded. We will find out later this summer if we are one of the winners.
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3 comments:
The percentage of superintendents does not surprise me but I have to agree with at least the fact that only 90% of school boards were able to sign on is a little bit of a surprise. 69% of unions is actually a good number considering the conversations and debate that our WEA delegates heard at rep assembly earlier this month. I think that many local unions are nervous of the changes that may come with this money but the reality is that change is going to happen in the next few years and we can either be on the boat and help steer or be the poor water skier that is being pulled and dragged all over Lake Change. I am happy to be on the boat and a part of the direction of the ship.
Picking up on Mr. Mitchell's nautical analogy, my understanding is the boat is supposed to be built and steered by educational leaders innovating at the local level. Last year the state legislature created a redefinition of what basic education in Washington state is, and then didn't fund it. Then best educational practice is redefined in another forum (RttT)to try to win federal monies. hmmmm What appears to be happening is that lawmakers are buying lots of raffle tickets hoping to win a boat, any boat, as long as they don't have to make the payments.
Will the lawmakers ever go to the shipbuilders and ask what craft will best get us to where we're going? Or are the fickle winds of change (and re-election campains) blowing our captain-less rafts against the rocky shoals of failed educational reform?
In addition to what I wrote last night, I just read an article in the Washington Post from a another perspective on Race to the Top. Plus I am trying to insert a link for the first time, we will see if it works.
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