RACE TO THE TOP

ONLY TWO STATES WIN IN RACE TO THE TOP

Tennessee, Delaware Receive First Grants for School Improvement Plans

by Tim Weldon

The U.S. Department of Education was more selective than analysts expected in the first Race to the Top grants.

Only Tennessee and Delaware were chosen from among the 15 states and Washington, D.C., that were finalists in the competition for what will eventually be more than $4 billion in federal awards for school reform.

Delaware will receive approximately $100 million, and Tennessee will get $500 million to implement their comprehensive school improvement plans over the next four years.

“All along, we said we would set a very high bar for success because we know that real and meaningful change in public education will only come from doing hard work and setting the highest expectations,” U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in making the announcement. “Both Delaware and Tennessee cleared that bar.”

Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen in a news release called the decision a landmark opportunity for his state.

“Our success in Race to the Top speaks to the commitment we’ve made to meaningful and significant improvement in public education, and the funds provided by the grant will carry us forward in a dramatic and positive direction,” Bredesen said.

Delaware Gov. Jack Markell said in a news release, “What’s really important today is where we go from here; whether we have the will to put our children first and move forward with reforms to improve our schools so that Delaware children can successfully compete for the best jobs in an increasingly competitive global economy.”

Peer reviewers gave both states high marks for the commitment to reform from key stake

holders, including elected officials, teachers’ union leaders and business leaders. In both states, all school districts committed to implementing Race to the Top reforms.

Delaware and Tennessee were singled out for aggressive plans to improve teacher and principal evaluation, use data to inform instructional decisions and turn around lowest-performing schools. Both states also put in place strong laws and policies to support reform efforts.

Nearly $3.5 billion remains in the program budget, and states must apply for the second phase of funding by June 1. Those states that submitted proposals but weren’t funded are eligible to apply for funding along with those that did not submit proposals in Phase 1.

Because many states that applied for funding in Phase 1 exceeded the ceiling set by the Department of Education, Duncan announced a cap on budgets. Phase 2 requests must be within the department’s suggested range to be considered.

RACE TO THE TOP FUNDING

NASHVILLE, TENN.—Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, right, was all smiles as he announced the Volunteer State, along with Delaware, won funding in the Race to the Top. Bredesen made the announcement at Eakin Elementary School in Nashville. Photo: The Tennessean/Larry McCormack/© 2010 The Associated Press

“All along, we said we would set a very high bar for success because we know that real and meaningful change in public education will only come from doing hard work and setting the highest expectations.”