Listen to a discussion of how the education system has been using its allocation of stimulus dollars during the Brian Lehrer Show (WNYC Radio) taped February 17, 2010 – the first anniversary of the ARRA.  http://www.wnyc.org/flashplayer/player.html#/play/%2Fstream%2Fxspf%2F150233  

 (22 minutes)

 Candace Cortiella 

 Director 

The Advocacy Institute 

www.AdvocacyInstitute.org 

PH: 540.364.0051 

Candace@AdvocacyInstitute.org 

Ten South Shore school districts are missing out on getting federal grant money because district and union officials failed to reach consensus.

Three people – the superintendent, the school committee chairman and the leader of the teachers union – had to sign an agreement committing to work together on several initiatives. Some of those initiatives made teachers unions wary – tying evaluations to students’ test scores and merit pay, for example.

The funding is part of a competitive federal program called Race To The Top that makes $4.35 billion available to states. Massachusetts is eligible for up to $250 million, with half of that going to participating school districts.

The amount each district could receive is determined by a formula that takes into account Title I money.

Two hundred and fifty-six, or two-thirds, of all public school districts, vocational, regional and charter schools in the state submitted agreements prior to the deadline, which was Thursday. The ones that applied represent 72 percent of the state’s K-12 enrollment, and 86 percent of students living in poverty statewide.

On the South Shore, however, just five of 15 districts submitted agreements: Plymouth, Randolph, Marshfield, Rockland and Hanover. Of the five, Plymouth is poised to receive the most funding – at least $440,157 over four years.

For the entire article, see

http://www.patriotledger.com/archive/x1685417955/Many-South-Shore-school-districts-take-themselves-out-of-the-running-for-federal-grants

Race To The Top education funding

All South Shore districts were eligible for a cut of federal Race To The Top funding, but only five submitted completed agreements. The following chart shows the minimum expected award, over four years, for each.
Completed agreements:
Plymouth ($440,157)
Randolph ($314,892)
Marshfield ($181,648)
Rockland ($151,171)
Hanover ($29,711)
Incomplete agreements (no union signature):
Quincy ($1,073,089)
Weymouth ($427,695)
Braintree ($200,192)
Hull ($112,614)
Scituate ($34,491)
Cohasset ($15,788)
Did not apply:
Pembroke ($140,743)
Milton ($65,888)
Hingham ($49,806)
Norwell ($19,074)

Two-thirds of State Public School Districts Sign on for “Race to the Top”

School committees, superintendents and unions all sign on to implement reforms

MALDEN – Two-thirds of the state’s public school districts and charter schools have signed a pledge to support the state’s pursuit of up to $250 million in Race to the Top funding, a new federal grant designed to transform public education nationwide.

 In all, 256 school districts and charter schools have signed on, representing 86 percent of the state’s low-income students and 72 percent of K-12 students statewide.

 ”This is a great day for Massachusetts to have the partnership of so many teachers, school committees and superintendents in our efforts to transform our public schools,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “We still have much work to do to ensure that our education system serves all students and provides them with the support and guidance they need to become successful.”

“Race to the Top” is a competitive $4.35 billion grant program launched by the Obama Administration to assist states in implementing aggressive education reform strategies to turn around low performing schools and support world-class teaching and learning. Approximately 40 states are expected to apply for the funding. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Massachusetts is eligible for approximately $250 million.

 Large, small, urban, suburban and rural districts from across the Commonwealth signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), signaling their commitment to implement the initiatives outlined in the grant. Of the 256 that signed on, 147 are traditional school districts, 58 are charter schools, 31 are regional school districts and 20 are vocational schools.

 ”Race to the Top represents a bold opportunity for Massachusetts to push new Education Reform,” said Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester. “We are already seen as a national leader in education, but to remain on top, the state must take steps to develop our next generation of teachers and leaders, turn around our lowest performing schools, and close our achievement gaps. I applaud the dedication of superintendents, school committee members, and union representatives statewide who stepped forward and embraced our innovative and ambitious reform agenda.”

“Massachusetts is a national leader on education reform and these efforts represent the state launching the next chapter of success for students,” said Education Secretary Paul Reville. “The local investment demonstrated in the signed agreements of so many districts and others is vital to our efforts to transform our public education system. Meaningful and lasting education reform can only be accomplished with the support of educators and municipal leaders as equal partners, that is what we have strived for in our Race to the Top work and that is what we are together accomplishing.”

 State education leaders have worked cooperatively with stakeholders from across Massachusetts for the past several months to build grassroots support for the initiative and develop the state’s plan. Participants included the leadership of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Massachusetts Association of School Committees, the Massachusetts Teachers Association the American Federation of Teachers, and the Massachusetts Charter Public School Association as well as educators, business leaders, parents and others.

 To participate, districts were required to submit an MOU signed by the superintendent, school committee chair, and union leader. If the state is awarded the grant in April, participating districts will have 90 days to submit work plans detailing how they will use their funding to implement four required activities: (1) Improve teacher and principal effectiveness; (2) Ensure effective teachers and leaders in every classroom; (3) Turn around the lowest achieving schools (only for districts with Level 4 or 5 schools under the state’s new accountability system); and (4) Use data to improve instruction. Participating districts may also choose to implement two additional activities: Roll out a statewide P-12 teaching and learning system and increase college and career readiness.

 The state’s Race to the Top application focuses on four key initiatives:

        . Developing and retaining an effective, academically                        capable, diverse, and culturally competent educator workforce providing curricular and instructional resources that support teacher effectiveness and success for all students

 
• Concentrating great instruction and supports for educators, students, and families in our lowest performing schools

 

• Increasing our focus on college and career readiness for all students

 

“The high number of school districts who signed the Race to the Top Memorandum of Understanding is great news for education reform in Massachusetts,” said Tom Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents “Teachers, superintendents and school committee leaders have demonstrated real leadership and a willingness to collaborate. A continuation of that spirit will provide meaningful long term benefits for our students.”

 ”MTA and our members are ready to develop new and better strategies to help close the achievement gaps for our most needy children,” said Anne Wass, president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. “That we have done so well with so many of our students already puts us in an excellent position to tackle the most difficult of problems: the negative effects that poverty has on the ability of students to achieve at their fullest potential. Working together and given the tools and resources we need, we can find solutions.”

 Participating districts include Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lawrence, Brockton, Salem, Pittsfield and Lowell. A complete list of participating districts is attached.

“I am confident that Massachusetts is among the best and most competitive Race to the Top applicants in the nation,” said Boston Superintendent Carol Johnson. “In signing the Memorandum of Understanding, our school committee, teachers union, and district agree that Boston can utilize these unprecedented resources to accelerate our goal of creating a world class system of schools for the children of our city.”

“The Pittsfield Public Schools are pleased to partner with the Massachusetts DESE in supporting the RTTT application,” said Pittsfield Superintendent Howard Eberwein. “Grants provided through RTTT will help to move the Commonwealth forward, and maintain it as a leader among states in supporting student achievement.”

 In addition to the 256 that submitted the required signatures, an additional 61 districts submitted incomplete MOUs. These communities were unable to gain the support of the superintendent, school committee and union, but submitted their MOUs to put their interest on the record.

 States that secure Race to the Top grants are expected to be designated as the preeminent states for future funding opportunities, including support through the reauthorization of the Elementary Education Act and from national foundations, such as the Gates Foundation, who have indicated that they will strongly consider investing in states that have won Race to the Top grants.

Race to the Top funding is meant to supplement, not supplant, other state and federal education funding. If Massachusetts is awarded funds, which could amount to $250 million, half of that amount the state receives would be passed on to participating districts using the Title I formula. The remaining 50 percent of funds may be used by the state, and some could go to districts in the form of competitive grants or funding for pilot initiatives.

See http://www.doe.mass.edu/news/news.aspx?id=5260

UPDATE FROM IDEA MONEY WATCH

According to the spending reports made available on the U.S. Department of Education Recovery Act web site (http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/reports.html), about 14% of the IDEA Part B Recovery Act funds have been obligated nation wide as of Dec. 25, 2009. Some states report zero funds obligated while a few states (HI, OK) report as much as 50% of funds have been obligated. All IDEA Recovery Act funds must be obligated by Sept. 30, 2011.

State-by-state spending appears below.

Candace Cortiella

www.IDEAmoneywatch.com

A Project of

The Advocacy Institute

Posted in Texas IDEA Money Watch | No Comments »

The Office of the Inspector General of the USDE has issued an “alert memo” that expresses concern about states using stabilization money to reduce state spending on education.  Three states were in the spotlight–Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.  And not in a good way.

The full memo from the Office of the Inspector General may be downloaded here:

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oig/auditreports/AlertMemorandums/l03j0011.pdf

From the memo (bold added):

“Some States’ budget proposals would . . . replace the State funds with their SFSF allocation to free up State resources for non-education budget items. . . Although this reduction may be allowable under the law, it may adversely impact the achievement of the education reforms of the SFSF program. . .

On October 21, 2009  US Education Secretary Arne Duncan released a Letter to Chief State School Officers and State Directors of Special Education urging states to maintain high standards and not compromise the section 616 determination process under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act  in view of the large increase in IDEA Part B federal funds that LEAs are receiving as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The letter is below and available online at: http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/secletter/091021.html www.IDEAmoneywatch.com http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/guidance/idea-b-reform.pdf <

Because of this increase, most LEAs will receive approximately twice the amount of IDEA, section 611 funds in FY 2009 that they received in FY 2008.  This unparalleled increase in funding has resulted in heightened interest in the possibility of taking advantage of the flexibility provided for in section 613 of the IDEA.    Under section 613(a)(2)(C), LEAs that have been determined by their State to be in “meets requirements” status under section 616 of the IDEA may reduce local spending on special education by an amount equal to up to 50 percent of the increase in their Part B allocation and use those funds to carry out activities authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA).  It has come to my attention that some States may be changing their determinations simply so that additional LEAs would qualify to reduce their maintenance of effort (MOE).  I am concerned about States lowering their standards for these determinations, particularly since it enables LEAs that have not met previously established performance targets to reduce spending on special education.

Updated Funding Information on Education Programs

• Education has awarded Massachusetts about $726 million, or about 73 percent of its total SFSF allocation. As of September 4, 2009, the commonwealth has distributed $412 million to local educational agencies, helping the state restore aid to school districts.
• Additionally, Education has awarded Massachusetts all of its Recovery Act funds under Title I, Part A, of ESEA, as amended—about $164 million. Based on information available as of September 4, 2009, the commonwealth has allocated $78 million to local educational agencies and about $2 million has been drawn down by local educational agencies (LEA). These funds are to be used to help improve teaching, learning, and academic achievement for students in families that live in poverty.
• Education has also awarded Massachusetts all of its Recovery Act funds under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part B—about $291 million. Massachusetts has allocated $145 million to LEAs, which have drawn down almost $10 million as of September 4, 2009. These funds are to be used to support special education and related services for children, as well as youth with disabilities.

For the entire report, see http://www.gao.gov/recovery/bimonthly/ma/ma-september-09.php