In my last entry I introduced you to Race to the The Top. I may have sounded a little biased by implying that there are going to be far more losers in this race than there will be winners. And while that might be a simple assumption, I stand by it. And, just to bury myself deeper, I believe getting an education shouldn't be about winning or losing. Learning should be about things like exploration, discovery, self improvement, and we should have fun while we do it. A high stakes multi-million dollar winner takes all environment is wonderful at a poker table, but to have found it's way to the horseshoe table during first grade reading group is just ludicrous.
However, I might be eating my words here real soon. On Tuesday July 27th, Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, announced the 19 finalists for the second and FINAL round of Race to the Top. California is on that list and we all know how much California needs that cash.
Duncan has led us to believe that during this last round there could be as many as 15 winners and with a $3.4 billion pot there seems to be more than enough to go around... well, until you consider that altogether the states are asking for $6.2 billion. And then consider that if New York, Florida, and California win there might only be $1.3 billion left in the pot for the other 12 winners.
Next up in the process is the interview which will take place from August 9 - 13. Five representatives from each state will fly to DC to meet with Duncan in a last chance sales pitch. During round one these interviews proved to be of little importance as the average change was just 4.6 points on a 500 point scale!
Winners and, consequently, losers will be announced in late August or early September.
I like that you equated the interviews to "sales pitches." I think this is part of the problem. We keep on wondering why schools cannot be run like businesses and sadly unless you work at Pixar, there is little room for exploration and discovery.
ReplyDeleteCheck out this video! I don't recommend watching the whole thing. It starts 45 seconds in, but you'll see what I mean about the sales pitch.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByuIlsf9ftY
I really enjoyed your blog. I enjoyed the numerous statistics that you provided to solidify the point that you were making. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI like the informative nature of this blog, Robert. I didnt realize there would be possibly 15 "winners". Good job delivering very current discussions on this big educational topic.
ReplyDeleteRobert, will "No Child Be Left Behind" in this "Race to the Top?" Sorry, I couldn't resist! I love how you kept your sense of humor about a topic that makes me crazed! I know (or I think...) these programs are well intentioned. However, I'm enough of a skeptic to wonder if they are band-aid solutions to a problem that requires surgery! I really enjoyed the "sales pitch" of prospective beaus at the end! Do you have any info on the guy who likes to get sand on his tuxedo? (Just kidding)
ReplyDeleteAlthough there seems a lot at stake with the Federal "Race to the Top," and I hope that states win, especially California--most school funding comes from the state. Usually only 2% comes from the feds, so the responsibility rests on the STATE. Now if California just had an approved budget, that would be a start... I witnessed the Encinitas superintendent describe how most districts have to set their budgets in April, and give out pink slips to more teachers to be conservative, because the CA budget is later and later each year. Then at the last minute, teachers might get hired back. So many teachers live out this limbo year after year until they can manage to get tenure. So let's get things fixed at a state level before worrying about the feds.
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