State seeks input for education 'race'
By Matthew Stone mstone@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer
Maine's Department of Education is asking teachers, school administrators, business people and others for advice as it prepares to apply for up to $75 million in federal funds aimed at education reform.
The department is planning five sessions to collect ideas on enhancing Maine's application for "Race to the Top," a federal competition among the states for nearly $4.4 billion in federal dollars to spur education innovations.
The first of the five sessions takes place today in Westbrook. A session is planned 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Olson Student Center at the University of Maine at Farmington.
Even if Maine ultimately fails to garner Race to the Top money, Maine Education Commissioner Susan Gendron said assembling the application will help the state plan for undertaking education reforms in the coming years.
"It's a great opportunity for us to bring together all of the work that Maine has been engaged in and have a transition plan for the next administration," Gendron recently told members of the Legislature's Education Committee.
The U.S. Department of Education is asking states that apply for Race to the Top funds to:
* show they've adopted a set of national curriculum standards known as the "Common Core";
* taken steps to hire, train and reward effective teachers;
* started building data systems that track student achievement throughout school, into college and beyond; and
* developed plans for improving low-performing schools.
As Maine puts together its application, lawmakers are considering three bills meant to strengthen the state's Race to the Top competitiveness. The Legislature's Education Committee endorsed two of the proposals last week.
The legislation would:
* strike down a provision in Maine law that bans tying student achievement data to teacher and principal evaluations, opening the door to performance-based pay for teachers;
* let Maine adopt the set of the national curriculum standards; and
* allow school districts to set up so-called "innovative" schools that have more freedom than traditional public schools in choosing staff members and developing curriculum.
The Education Committee has yet to endorse the innovative-schools legislation, as committee members consider an amendment that would legalize full-fledged, independently run charter schools.
Some 40 states and Washington, D.C., applied for funds in the first round of Race to the Top. The Department of Education earlier this month named 16 finalists for the first round awards.
Maine is planning to apply by June 1 for money in the competition's second round.
Matthew Stone -- 623-3811, ext. 435
mstone@centralmaine.com
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5 COMMENTS
goodone said...
Extortion, on a federal level. This so called “contest” for education money, in which states must comply or no money is an outrage. To think that this is the only way we can see extra federal funds for our children’s education is very disturbing, and is wrong on so many levels. Each state’s education system is different, and to have federal education revenue withheld or doled out in this manner is unfair. The federal government should not have the right to play games like this with our children’s education! Why does anyone think this is a fair way of doing business?
March 15, 2010 at 8:24 AM Report abuse
stopthismess said...
It's about time the Fed Gov told schools to shape up or face these cuts. So many schoold keep getting more and more money every year without showing any improvement of students ar any real way of measuring progress of students, teachers or the school as a whole. A federal set of standards is long overdue. There are many "inner-city" schools, where you wouldn't think education standards would be high, that are outshining schools who get way more federal funds. Once again I say, you don't need alot of money to teach a child, just a child who wants to learn and a teacher who wants to do their job.
March 15, 2010 at 8:48 AM Report abuse
SS said...
goodone - yes, every state's education system is different, and that's a big part of the problem! The standards are different to the point that someone who might have graduated with honors in one state might not pass a single class in another state. The requirements for teachers differ greatly, as well. If we are to reform education in this country, each state MUST start to get on the same page. This is a step in that direction.
March 15, 2010 at 9:54 AM Report abuse
ProConserv said...
Get your children out of publically funded "government re-education camps, formally known as public education, and homeschool or enroll them in a private school! Enough of this liberal brainwashing of our children!
March 15, 2010 at 10:06 AM Report abuse
goodone said...
SS good point! I see where you are coming from, and I do believe that there must be standards for education in this country. I'm not so sure I want the federal government's hands in this too much. Set standards but not curriculum. Individual states need to maintain control of the education system. Having a competition for federal money puts many states at a disadvantage right from the very start, and the money needs to be given out fairly. Just because one state complies first should not mean they get all of the funds and leave other states short. Remember all working Americans are paying into the tax system, and to think I will not see any of my taxes come back to fund our schools because of some federal competition is unfair. Create and enforce standards but, keep the competition game out of it. Disperse the money evenly and fairly.
March 15, 2010 at 11:20 AM Report abuse