ACSA TALKING POINTS ON RACE TO THE TOP

After reviewing the final Race to the Top MOU there are now greater opportunities for participation, including a Letter of Intent, a small extension of time to get in signed MOUs and an ability to opt out prior to receiving any funds if the state and LEA cannot agree to the final scope of work but have tried in good faith.

There will be challenges with the requirement to meet all four areas of RTT, particularly without having seen the final State RTT Plan; so it’s important for LEAs to engage all parties locally (e.g. board, teachers unions and parents).

 The Governor and State Superintendent should provide a final state Race to the Top plan to local districts to review immediately so superintendents, school boards, unions and local communities recognize the new unfunded mandates they will be required to implement under RTT.

Entering into binding agreements about how resources will be reallocated at the local level, without knowing whether California ultimately will receive RTT grants, is a leap of faith for local schools, students and communities and should be carefully considered.

RTT legislation must ensure local districts can decide what’s best for local students. Teacher and principal hiring, firing and placement decisions should remain at the local level and not be decided by politicians.

AB (X5) 8 (Brownley) ensures local districts – rather than state lawmakers – will be responsible for implementing local reforms. AB (X5) 8 ensures that 80 percent of RTT funding will be allocated to local districts and schools and 30 percent of that funding goes to struggling schools.

AB (X5) 8 ensures students and schools will be challenged to meet and exceed quality standards. AB (X5) 8 ensures federally required reviews of California’s standards, assessment and accountability systems. 

AB(X5) 8 ensures teachers and school leaders will be supported by professional development. AB (X5) 8 provides the needed investments in instruction, evaluation, recruitment and retention for schools and students to be successful.

AB (X5) 8 ensures low achieving schools will be turned around. AB (X5) 8 reaches schools and students that desperately need support, and it avoids awarding high achieving schools benefits meant for struggling schools