Delaware and Tennessee Win Race to the Top, Phase 1
March 29, 2010Secretary Duncan has announced that Delaware
and Tennessee are the two winning states in Phase 1 of the Race
to the Top competition. Delaware will receive approximately $100
million and Tennessee $500 million to implement their plans over
the next four years. The money will be distributed in increments
as the states meet their benchmarks.
We received many strong proposals from states all across
America, but two applications stood out above all others: Delaware
and Tennessee, said Secretary Duncan. These states received
the two highest scores in the competition. Both of them have statewide
buy-in for comprehensive plans to reform their schools. They have
written new laws to support their policies. And they have demonstrated
the courage, capacity, and commitment to turn their ideas into practices
that can improve outcomes for students.
The states applications needed to address reform in four
key areas:
- Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to
succeed in college and the workplace;
- Building data systems that measure student growth and success,
and inform teachers and principals how to improve instruction;
- Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers
and principals, especially where they are needed most; and
- Turning around their lowest-performing schools.
According to The News Journal, Delawares grant will
provide for data coaches to meet with teachers to review student
data and help develop lessons to address needs, as well as funding
teacher leaders at high-need schools, development coaches to work
with school principals, fellowships for highly effective educators,
and retention bonuses for highly effective teachers in high-needs
schools. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports that Tennessees
changes, made with input from the Tennessee Education Association,
include passing a new law that requires half of teacher evaluations
to be based on student achievement data, lifting the states
cap on the number of charter schools that can open each year, and
setting up a statewide school district specifically for failing
schools.
Reviewers
scores and feedback on the applications have been posted online.
Applications for Phase 2 of Race to the Top are due on June 1, 2010.
A new
rule for Phase 2 of the Fiscal Year 2010 competition says that
the states budget must conform to the budget ranges determined
by the Department of Education. They will not consider a states
application if its request exceeds the maximum in its budget range.
More Information
Delaware
and Tennessee Win First Race to The Top Grants
The U.S. Department of Education
Delaware
to get first round of Race to the Top education grants
The News Journal
Feds
pick TN, Delaware for $600M ed grants
Knoxville News Sentinel
U.S.
Names Education Grant Winners
The New York Times
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