Round 1 Results of Race to the Top Leave States Skeptical

With the first round of the Race to the Top competition completed, the inevitable backlash from the competing states has been mixed. Many states were left skeptical of the results. Upon hearing that Delaware and Tennessee were the only winners, applicants were baffled that only two of the 48 states were qualified to win federal funding.

Among those disappointed states was Colorado, which had hoped for upwards of $377 million, but ended in 14^th place. Governor Bill Ritter led a group of the losing states representatives in a meeting with Secretary Arne Duncan to get an idea of how this could happen and what they were looking for while judging the applications.

Officials from these states criticized the scoring of the contest, which favored states that could gain 100% support of school districts and local teachers’ unions for Obama administration objectives like expanding charter schools, reworking teacher evaluation systems and turning around low-performing schools. They see this as highly unlikely for larger states and therefore inherently unfair.

The entire competition is at risk because of this dilemma. Several states that participated in the first round are left unsure of whether or not they will reapply for the second phase of the competition. The last thing the Obama administration wants is for grumbling states to halt support and discontinue education reform because they do not think it will pay off.

Alternatively, the administration thought of the first round as a massive success. By limiting the victories in round one, $3.4 billion was conserved that can be given to as many of 15 states in round two, according to a New York Times article.

The groundwork for reform has already been completed. States have committed to rewriting laws regarding education regardless of the whether or not they participate in round two. Talk between states and the administration will continue in order to keep both parties well informed and happy.

Recent JobsBack to Top

• High School-Luzhou, Sichuan-5,000-6,500 RMB - China, NY
• Language School-Changchun, Jilin-6000-7000RMB - China, NY
• Full-Time Jobs for English Teachers - Tianjin,China, TX
• Web Language Training Center-Suzhou, Jiansu-9500 RMB - China, NY
• IELTS School-Xi'an, Shaanxi-5500RMB - China, NY

View All Jobs