State Prepares for Race to the Top

State Prepares for Race to the Top

With a Jan. 19 deadline for the first round of federal Race to the Top (RTTT) grant applications looming, the state Department of Education held information sessions this week on the development of New Jersey’s application. The $5 billion RTTT program is part of the Obama administration’s economic stimulus plan. For New Jersey, the grants could total between $200 million and $400 million. Half of the funding will be shared among school districts that operate Title I programs. Statewide, 513 schools receive Title I funds. The remaining 50 percent will be used to fund state and district activities in support of the comprehensive program. Interested districts must complete a memorandum of understanding, signed by the board president, superintendent and head of the local teachers’ association by Jan. 14. The state’s chances of winning a grant will be better if more districts participate. Information about the state’s grant proposal, local district responsibilities, and the required forms have been posted on the NJSBA web site. The state’s grant application addresses four specific areas of reform: Higher academic standards Teacher training and development: attracting and retaining quality teachers, including efforts such as performance pay and evaluating teachers and principals through multiple measures Enhanced statewide tracking systems: using data collection to measure student performance and guide instruction Improvement of low-performing schools: providing support to turn around failing schools, such as establishing charter schools. At a Dec. 18 briefing, Gov. Jon S. Corzine pointed out that the state has already taken steps that would contribute to the status of its application, such as compiling data on students through NJ SMART. Other existing programs that address the four areas of reform include the state’s new curriculum standards and the new statewide student testing requirements, such as the end-of-term biology assessment, said Willa Spicer, assistant commissioner of education. “We believe that New Jersey is well positioned to win a Race to the Top grant,” said Lucille E. Davy in a letter to school superintendents. “We have created an aggressive, yet achievable plan to effect meaningful change in our schools.” The competition requires that states show support from other members of the statewide educational community, including schools boards, administrators and teachers’ union leaders. The state Department of Education is working with a consultant to develop the state’s grant proposal. All elements of a state’s plan must be sustainable, and not create ongoing expenses. The U.S. Department of Education has said that it would provide feedback to applicants that are unsuccessful in the Jan. 19 grants; those applications could be revised and resubmitted in time for the second round of applications, due June 1.

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