Watered down requirements will allow states to compete without being
competitive
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Federal guidelines for the
distribution of $4.3 billion in "Race to the Top" education funds to states
are irresponsibly weak and filled with loopholes, according to the national
nonprofit Center for Education Reform (CER). The long-awaited guidelines,
which many education reformers hoped would push states to adopt meaningful
education reforms, contain serious flaws.
The guidelines will provide states with a blueprint for developing their
education reform plans--in return for federal funding--but, according to CER
president Jeanne Allen, states that don't embrace real reform may very well
end up with federal dollars.
"Throughout the entire evaluation formula proposed by the Department of
Education's application, reform is deemphasized, and while states that are
already doing good work will benefit, so might states that aren't," Allen
said. "It is disappointing to see bold, exciting rhetoric on education reform
from the Obama Administration turn into nothing more than lip service."
Specifically, the "Race to the Top"--which had been touted as a boon for
charter schools--now deemphasizes charters, even allowing states without
charter school laws to qualify for federal funding. Additionally, the
guidelines also deemphasize the need for gauging student achievement gains
when calculating teacher merit pay plans. These two changes to the "Race to
the Top" funding formula are directly contradictory to President Obama's
campaign platform and to recent statements by Education Secretary Arne Duncan.
CER has argued that states should not receive funding if they don't eliminate
anti-charter and anti-performance pay language in school district rules and in
collective bargaining agreements; these fundamental policy provisions are not
present in the Education Department's guidance.
"The final 'Race to the Top' guidelines have moved the education reform finish
line up, and it doesn't seem like it will take much effort to cross it," said
Allen. "This isn't a 'Race to the Top,' it's a race to the bank for folks who
haven't tried hard enough."
The Center for Education Reform drives the creation of better educational
opportunities for all children. CER changes laws, minds and cultures to allow
good schools to flourish.
SOURCE Center for Education Reform
Andrew Campanella of CER, +1-800-521-2118, andrew@edreform.com
