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Old 01-15-2010, 08:44 PM
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Default Local school districts declining to 'Race to the Top'

Local school districts declining to 'Race to the Top'

Quote:

Jan 14 2010

The federal government is offering California up to $700 million in competitive grant money that rewards states and districts for innovative, reforming education.

So why are nearly 90 percent of Kern County school districts, who are struggling financially, sitting out Race to the Top?

Too many strings attached, officials said, and a lot of "unanswered questions."

Not a single district in Bakersfield decided to sign up with the state on the competition that encourages and rewards those "creating the conditions for education innovation and reform," according to the California Department of Education.

The state may be eligible for up to $700 million, but it could be much less, officials said. Among concerns from school leaders:

* The reward would be "one-time money," something leaders have a tough time with because it can't be used to start new programs. It's also unclear how, and how much, money would be dispersed.

* California's plan calls for changes in academic standards after districts have spent much time aligning current standards.

* The plan calls for using test data to evaluate teachers. Teachers unions here in particular are against this.

* The plan also would allow students to transfer out of low-performing schools and districts.

State Superintendent Jack O'Connell announced Tuesday that 760 state school entities, about 44 percent, volunteered to be involved in a memorandum of understanding "to implement reforms and improve student outcome."

"By making wise investments in state and local systems that will accelerate and drive growth in student achievement, the Race to the Top ultimately will help California better prepare all of our students for success in the competitive global economy," O'Connell said in a statement.

Only five of Kern County's 47 school districts submitted their intent to participate: Delano Joint Union High, Kernville Union, Lamont, Wasco Union Elementary, Maricopa Unified and McFarland Unified school districts. Ridgecrest Charter School also signed up.

Greenfield Union is on the list, but has since retracted its intent to participate citing too many strings attached to the money, Superintendent Chris Crawford said.

Paul Chounet, Wasco Union's superintendent, said he is aware of the concerns some other districts have, but he does not see an issue within his district with changes in standards and assessment or tying teacher performance with student performance, for example.

All in all, Chounet said he sees Race to the Top as an opportunity.

"My goal is student achievement," Chounet said. "I see this as a way to help."

He is, however, concerned with the one-time money. But he said if implemented properly, there would be no problems in Wasco Union.

Kern County Superintendent of Schools Christine Frazier likened the state's deal to being forced to buy a house you can't afford. The people selling it tell you how to paint and decorate it, she said, and only give you enough for the first payment.

Other larger county school offices, such as Los Angeles and Fresno, signed on. Districts could still sign on later, state officials said.

"We just felt like we would be chasing money," Frazier said. "This wasn't the right thing to be doing."

Chounet of Wasco Union said he would rather put the district's name in the hat for the money than be "left out in the cold."

Groups in other states are also dismissing the Race. Michigan's largest teachers union said it wouldn't endorse the state's efforts, calling the plan flawed and incomplete. Missouri teachers said they were against using test scores in decisions involving teachers.

Texas said it wouldn't compete for the money because the program "smacks of a federal takeover of our public schools," its governor said.

Chounet said seeing most other superintendents in Kern back out brought "questions to my mind." But he sees it as joining nearly 800 other districts in the state.

"I'm not afraid of being out there by myself (in Kern)," Chounet said. "I can look at it as we have a lot of company (in California)."

Hilary McLean, director of communications for the state Department of Education, said committing to the program isn't for everyone, and is glad some Kern districts are participating. The state has not done an analysis yet on which regions decided to sign on and which did not.

Ultimately, she said, the entire school system will benefit from the Race.

"It's a happy benefit to schools in the midst of deep and troubling financial crisis that has gripped our state," McLean said.

The Race was created as part of the economic stimulus, and is part of President Barack Obama's efforts to overhaul the nation's schools.

The deadline for California to submit its application to the U.S. Department of Education for the Race is Tuesday. Winners are announced in April.
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