Florida already has the promise of $700 million in education dollars from the Obama administration, but now it has to deliver on its plan for that money.
State education leaders need to put in place plans to close the achievement gaps between white and minority students, turn around struggling schools and find ways to reward excellent teachers. And they have a few months to figure out exactly how to do that.
Gov. Charlie Crist’s Teaching Task Force met Monday along with state Department of Education officials to start the ball rolling on the state’s plans to implement changes that will be required by President Obama’s Race to the Top program. In addition to advising state education leaders on Race to the Top, the group will also deliver a report to the Legislature in January on suggested education policies.
“Now the obligation is we deliver on what we won,” state Education Commissioner Eric Smith said.
Local school districts that choose to participate in Race to the Top must put together outlines unique to their own districts on how they will use the federal dollars in conjunction with the state’s broader goals. This could include a merit pay system for teachers, which was the subject of highly contested debate during the 2010 legislative session.
The money is particularly important as lawmakers prepare to start writing the next budget already more than $2 billion in the hole.
“Race to the Top will give us much needed resources to move forward,” said Crist’s chief of staff, Shane Strum.
The district plans are due to the state Department of Education Nov. 9 and then the state must submit its overall agenda to the U.S. Department of Education by Nov. 22.
Race to the Top is part of Obama’s $800-billion stimulus plan that passed in 2009. Money is doled out through a competitive two-round grant application process. Florida was widely rumored to be a frontrunner in the first round, but finished fourth and out of contention for federal dollars. Only Delaware and Tennessee took home money when the first round winners were announced in late March.
In the second round, Florida, plus the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Massachusetts Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Rhode Island all received education dollars. Federal education officials have also asked Congress for an additional $1.35 billion to continue the program and give money to other states for education reform.
The Teaching Task Force’s Monday meeting served as more of an introductory meeting and to set out goals going forward. The group will continue to meet throughout the fall to discuss education policy.
By Kathleen Haughney
The News Service of Florida
