The President has released information on Race To The Top. For states to qualify for some of the $4.35 Billion dollars in funds they have to agree to reform efforts in four areas:
1- Adopting internationally benchmarked standards and assessments that prepare students for success in college and the workplace;
2- Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals;
3- Building data systems that measure student success and inform teachers and principals how they can improve their practices; and
4- Turning around our lowest-performing schools.
The Nebraska Commissioner of Education has stated that Nebraska will pursue these funds. In order to access this money, the state must agree to make some changes.
#1- The state must require schools to adopt high graduation standards for students and increase the number of students attending postsecondary schools. In math, this would mean requiring algebra, geometry and possibly even algebra II for graduation.
#2- Reward effective teachers and principals. They are talking about merit pay for teachers.
#3- Having data systems in place that can link students and their teachers. They want to be able to identify the teachers that are effective in getting students to perform at a high level.
#4- Improve low performing schools. Allowing charter schools to exist as an alternative to regular public and parochial schools. Currently there are no charter schools in Nebraska.
This initiative is requiring changes to take place in schools. Our Commissioner says he is ready to promote these changes. Are Nebraska schools ready?
The school curriculum should be challenging to students, but struggling students need to be supported by teachers, not be left to fail. Excellent teachers deserve to be paid better. Teachers should be accountable for the performance of their students, not just covering material. The drop-out rate is this country needs to be reversed.
We will have to wait and see if "Race To The Top" can get off the ground.
