Black Voice News, News Report, Chris Levister, Posted: Jul 30, 2010

From Sacramento to San Bernardino state and local education officials struggled to contain their enthusiasm Tuesday after learning California is a finalist in its second attempt to qualify for a big chunk of federal “Race to the Top” education reform money.

“Today’s development means we are still in the hunt,” said an elated state Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell. “I am thrilled that our efforts to push for even more progress in improving public education were recognized.”

San Bernardino education officials welcomed news that California, which lost out on the first round of federal Race to the Top education grants emerged as a finalist in its second try.
However, O’Connell’s enthusiasm was tempered by a dose of reality.

In all, 35 states and the District of Columbia applied for the second round of the competition. The 19 finalists, including the District of Columbia, have asked for $6.2 billion, although only $3.4 billion is available.

California was disqualified in March from competing for as much as $77 million in the first round of Race to the Top funding. Federal officials claim state reforms made did not go far enough.

The Race to the Top finalist designation gives California a chance to receive up to $700 million. The competition rewards ambitious reforms aimed at improving struggling schools and closing the achievement gap.

Applications were screened by a panel of peer reviewers. Finalists will travel to Washington, D.C., during the week of Aug. 9 to present their proposals, with winners expected to be announced at the end of September.

O’Connell congratulated the more than 300 districts that committed to the plan to transform the state education system by signing memorandums of understanding.

Districts in San Bernardino County who signed on include Adelanto Elementary, Morongo Unified and San Bernardino City Unified.

San Bernardino schools spokeswoman Linda Bardere described the news as a positive step forward.

"We feel it will improve our chances for getting additional funding," she said.

The news brought cheers and reservation from some members of the Parents’ Committee of Inland Congregations United for Change, a grassroots group which is made up of parishioners from various churches whose children attend multiple schools in the San Bernardino City Unified School District.

“This is encouraging news but what did we have to give up to qualify for the money?” said a Spanish speaking woman standing outside Pacific High School Tuesday. The group has been conducting training and research at the school in order to have a say in the changes soon to take place at the schools designated by the state for intervention.

In March the California Department of Education turned up the heat on failing schools. Seven Title1 funded San Bernardino schools including Pacific High are named among the worst 5 percent in the state.

Following the embarrassing first round disqualification, legislation backed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was adopted to make California a contender for part of President Barack Obama’s Race to the Top education initiative and other federal grants.

“In the state’s zeal to get its hands on this money, we think the public is being left in the dark.

What were the compromises? Were our children and teachers made sacrificial lambs,” asked Elise Daniels whose two sons attend San Bernardino City schools.

At its July 6 meeting, the SB school board decided to use the transformation and turnaround reforms at the schools listed as the lowest achievers in the state. Both forms of intervention require replacing principals and rewarding teachers who improve student achievement with financial incentives, opportunities for advancement and flexible work conditions.

Superintendent Arturo Delgado said at this point principals have been replaced at nine of the 11 schools targeted for reform. The district has applied for School Improvement Grant funding, which it will use to put many aspects of the reforms in place.

“California’s Race to the Top plan maps out a strong foundational framework for targeted and systemic education reforms," O’Connell said after U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced the finalists in Atlanta.

"Our schools and educators will work with our education partners to accelerate growth in student learning and achievement," O’Connell said. "To date, we have made significant progress in demonstrating our capacity to make a bold transformation."

California’s application outlines a five-point plan focused on tying high-quality college- and career-ready standards and assessments to a statewide curriculum. It also calls for improved data collection and use.

The plan also stresses cultivating, rewarding and leveraging effective teaching and leading; providing support to struggling schools and students; and aligning organizational functions to support reform.

Most of the state’s teachers unions have not signed on to the reform blueprint, which could sway evaluators review of California’s application.

Other finalists are Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina and the District of Columbia.