It’s a rare day when conservative advocacy group EdWatch and Education Minnesota, the state teachers’ union, see eye to eye, but on Feb. 9 representatives of each organization shared similar concerns about the state’s application for federal Race to the Top funds with the House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight Committee.
Race to the Top (RTTT) is a competitive incentive grant that’s part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Minnesota is one of 40 states that has submitted an application for a share of $4.35 billion. RTTT is intended to promote reform of poor-performing schools, recruitment and training of new teachers, and promotion of “common core” academic standards. To date, 415 school districts and charter schools have signed the application that could bring $330 million to the state’s education coffers.
Critics of RTTT fear the loss of local control over education policy, and believe districts are so desperate for extra funds they’ll agree to proposals based on federal criteria that don’t always match up with state and local policies. One school principal dubbed Race to the Top “‘sprint for the money,’” said Roger Aronson, who represents two statewide principals’ associations.
It’s not worth the “paltry sum of money from the federal government for what is a huge loss of state sovereignty and legislative control,” said Karen Effrem, EdWatch director of government relations.
Lawmakers should scrutinize the RTTT proposals to make sure they reflect the intent of Minnesota’s carefully crafted education law, agreed Jan Alswager, chief lobbyist at Education Minnesota, especially in the areas of teacher evaluation, licensure and professional development.
Committee Chairman Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL-St. Paul) said he appreciates the federal “challenge” to reform schools and maintain standards, “but I’m also a very parochial, jealous state legislator who feels very strongly that Minnesota education policy should be determined by Minnesotans, first and foremost.”
The year without a K-12 law
School funding is flat, no reforms enacted
(view full story)
Published 6/1/2010
House K-12 omnibus bill fast-tracked
Senate slow to respond with companion legislation
(view full story)
Published 5/13/2010
K-12 education omnibus bill stalls
Teacher licensure proposals in contention
(view full story)
Published 5/6/2010
K-12 education bill moves forward
Measures would activate reforms, stabilize school funding
(view full story)
Published 4/29/2010
Resuscitating Race to the Top bid
New bid could hinge on proposals to boost teacher effectiveness
(view full story)
Published 4/22/2010
Raiders of the lost fund
Slew of reforms could boost Permanent School Fund income
(view full story)
Published 3/25/2010
Schools shore up state’s checkbook
Obscure law forces drawdown of school reserves before state can borrow
(view full story)
Published 2/25/2010
At Issue: No shifts, no cuts
Education funding in a holding pattern
(view full story)
Published 5/29/2009
At Issue: E-12 education bill that might have been
Funding held steady with no shifts proposed, but no Minnesota Miracle
(view full story)
Published 5/15/2009
At Issue: Investing in quality care for kids
Lawmakers hope for long-term benefits of early investment
(view full story)
Published 4/24/2009
At Issue: Building a better formula
Omnibus K-12 education finance bill floor debate highlights obstacles
(view full story)
Published 4/24/2009
At Issue: Whose values are they anyway?
Lawmaker carries on family legacy with sex education bill
(view full story)
Published 4/17/2009
First Reading: One school doesn’t fit all
Efforts put forward to tailor charter school law
(view full story)
Published 4/10/2009
At Issue: Hopeful education goals in a dismal year
Omnibus bill addresses changing needs and future demands
(view full story)
Published 4/3/2009
At Issue: Getting kids to move
Bill aims to ensure ‘No child left on their behind’
(view full story)
Published 2/20/2009
First Reading: Accountability funding for all
A ‘New Minnesota Miracle’ requires a leap of faith
(view full story)
Published 2/13/2009
At Issue: Q Comp found wanting
Performance measure has perks, but is it affordable?
(view full story)
Published 2/6/2009
At Issue: Reforming education, saving money
Bipartisan support shown for mandate reduction and shared services
(view full story)
Published 1/23/2009
Feature: Passing the torch of democracy
Youth immerse themselves in lingo and actions of lawmaking
(view full story)
Published 1/16/2009