Implementation hurdles seen in Race to the Top first-year report
A new report by the Ed Department on the $4 billion Race to the Top grant program, which rewards states for innovative school reform blueprints for disadvantaged communities, shows some hurdles for the 12 recipients looking to implement those plans. The state-by-state report showed that while there was overall progress being made in putting their school reform plans in motion, there were some shared difficulties as well. Even still, education officials appear to be pleased with the progress of the initiative.
“Race to the Top states have made tremendous strides in this first year,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “These twelve states have acted with courage and commitment in taking on ambitious education reform. Their year one work has helped lay the foundation for long-term, statewide improvements centered on doing what’s best for students.”
Staffing has proven to be a universal difficulty for the 11 states and the District of Columbia evaluated in the report, according to education officials. Three states — Florida, New York and Hawaii — seemed to experience the most difficulty in implementing their plans . Hawaii was classified as “high risk” and may see its $75 million grant revoked if improvements are not seen.
Some of the implementation difficulties may also be accounted for by turnover in key positions, according to the Ed Department. Five states — Ohio, Florida, Hawaii, Georgia and Tennessee — have seen a change in governors or high-ranking education officials since receiving the grants in 2010. Duncan acknowledges the ambitious nature of the plans, but says the Education Department still has high expectations for grant recipients.
“These twelve states created aggressive plans that set a high bar for reform, setting out to accomplish extraordinarily tough work that comes with its share of challenges,” added the nation’s schools chief. “We are supporting states to help them achieve their goals. At the same time, we will hold them accountable for those commitments.”
To date, 21 states and the District of Columbia have received Race to the Top grants, serving 59 percent of the nation’s low-income students and 65 percent of all schoolchildren in the U.S.
