Have you heard about the federal program, "Race to the Top?" This is a program designed to reform education in such a way to support and actually turn around low performing schools. Michigan is one of 50 states applying for some of the 4.35 billion dollars that the government is making available. To be eligible for the funds, Michigan had to complete a detailed application describing our state's project. School districts were given an opportunity (voluntary) to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, in cooperation with their teachers' union, to agree to abide by all the pieces of Michigan's application. In exchange, districts would then be allocated an amount of money.
Michigan's application was not available to districts for review until Friday night, January 8, 2010--after the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) original deadline to sign this agreement. Late last week, districts received ANOTHER notice, saying that MDE would accept an "Intent to Sign" notice, giving the districts a chance to more thoroughly review Michigan's application over the weekend, and THEN sign the agreement, prior to the close of the business day on Tuesday, January 12.
Escanaba's Board of Education reviewed the FACTS regarding Race to the Top, and considered the District's attorney's guidance (who did not give a green light, simply because of the lack of real, factual information.) The Board decided that in the best interest of the students they serve, to NOT sign this agreement, because of the lack of information, as well as the hazy implications about a plan for which all the bugs have not been worked out.
Escanaba IS reforming! Academic achievement is on the move--with a new strategic plan that has as its #1 goal for students to EXCEED state and national standards. Our buildings will reconfigure next year, with one of the main reasons being: to give students more opportunities to advance! Further, we have studied our facilities, and the Board has called for a bond proposal--one that will not only save the district in energy costs, but one that will increase safety, as well as help to equip students with technology tools. Escanaba HAS a plan to reform and to re-invent....one put together collaboratively with parents, community members, and staff.
Plans that WORK are well-planned. The Escanaba team studied data, analyzed it, debated about it, collaboratively considered where it is our district should "go", and considered steps as to how the plan should be implemented. The process used took 5 months, and allowed for "buy in", feedback, and tweaks from our stakeholders before the Board adopted the plan in November 2009.
In contrast, districts were given some preliminary information in December 2009 about Race to the Top, and the plan itself was not available until the evening of January 8, 2010, with a January 12, 2010 last-ditch-effort-to-sign deadline (with still unanswered questions regarding "how it would all work"). It seems like "Race to Get It Done", rather "Race to the Top."
The spirit of Race to the Top is a mighty one. However, it is my opinion as Superintendent, that Districts be afforded the realistic and necessary opportunity to "Study, analyze, THEN Act!"