Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Race to the Top/Grab for the Money: LAUSD AGREES TO STATE MANDATE + ASSEMBLY OK’s BILLS TO CHANGE CA SCHOOLS + More

●●smf’s 2¢: Now that NCLB has left the station – and the train wreck has already occurred – California & LAUSD climb aboard!    Other districts aren’t s anxious for the one time money.

LAUSD agrees to state mandate

By Connie Llanos, Staff Writer | LA Daily News

01/05/2010 08:32:48 PM PST -- The Los Angeles Unified school board agreed in principle Tuesday to accept new state accountability standards for teachers, principals and schools, potentially making the district eligible for millions of federal dollars.

At least 800 other school districts statewide have also agreed to implement new reforms in exchange for a shot at the $4.35 billion available in competitive federal "Race to the Top" grants. Those reforms could include using test data to evaluate teachers and pushing for the shutdown of low-performing schools - policies long opposed by teacher unions.

The board's approval came as the state Legislature also voted on two bills to change state law to allow some of the controversial reforms required by the Obama administration to qualify for the grants.

"What I am asking you to do today is to approve a placeholder for LAUSD so that if the state gets Race to the Top dollars, we are there to receive them," said LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines.

While it is not clear how many states will ultimately qualify for the grants, it is expected that between 10 to 20 states will receive money during the program's first round. It is estimated that California could earn up to $700 million if it qualifies.

Since LAUSD students represent about 10 percent of the state's student population and the largest portion of California's low-income students who are targeted by the federal grant, the district stands to receive a substantial portion of what the state receives. 

ENTIRE STORY: http://bit.ly/5aef4d


Assembly OKs bills to change California schools

By Patrick McGreevy and Howard Blume | LA Times

Assembly OKs bills to change California schools

Parents would be given more power to transfer children out of poorly performing campuses and petition for changes, including removal of the principal. Teachers unions oppose the provisions.

ENTIRE STORY: http://bit.ly/6cbjEG


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