Post by title1parent on Apr 2, 2010 6:45:22 GMT -5
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=369953&src=
School reforms must be sustainable
Daily Herald Editorial 4/1/2010
The Obama administration continues to dangle federal education dollars to cash-strapped states, and by choosing two winners in the first round of its Race to the Top competition this week, it proved it is serious about education reform.
Illinois also has shown its commitment by aligning education policies with the requirements for a portion of the stimulus funds, which total $435 billion. In the past year, for instance, legislators have raised the charter school cap and moved toward linking teacher evaluations to student performance. Education officials are working with other states to form common learning standards and plan to adopt them in August.
Despite its best efforts, Illinois remained on the bench with 13 other finalists. It leaves us to wonder what lawmakers and policymakers could have done better, and how the state can increase its odds for round two.
That will take some study. The Illinois State Board of Education has the task of thoroughly examining the applications of the winning states - Delaware and Tennessee - as well as those that lost. As officials regroup, however, we offer just a few cautions.
If Illinois qualifies for any funds, half would be allocated to programs at the state level and the other half to districts that have promised various reforms. About 60 suburban districts signed onto the plan in the first round, and the handful of local schools that are among the state's lowest performing stand to gain the most. No one knows how much, and there could be costs involved.
"Anything that helps to fund education at this point will be welcomed," Elgin Area School District U-46 spokesman Tony Sanders told reporter Kerry Lester. "At the same time, Race to the Top would require additional expenditures as well. We're still unclear as to how much funds we would receive as a district."
The windfall may or may not include future funding, and new programs that cannot be sustained would be in danger of withering.
In addition, federal cash often comes with strings attached. Education Secretary Arne Duncan has said the money must be used for specific reforms and not to fill budget holes. If the funds are abused, they will be shifted to other states that are "doing it the right way," he said.
Duncan is right to keep the focus on reform. Our policymakers must do the same. Further changes they make with an eye on the federal prize must go beyond just checking a box on an application. Research-supported reforms that are implemented with plans for sustainability will offer the most benefit to our children.
Pending teacher layoffs, program reductions and a threatened $1.3 billion in state cuts make stimulus money especially attractive. We encourage a ramped-up effort in the federal race that will show Illinois is capable of successful reform. But once stimulus money is spent, it's gone. There is no substitute for long-term solutions.
School reforms must be sustainable
Daily Herald Editorial 4/1/2010
The Obama administration continues to dangle federal education dollars to cash-strapped states, and by choosing two winners in the first round of its Race to the Top competition this week, it proved it is serious about education reform.
Illinois also has shown its commitment by aligning education policies with the requirements for a portion of the stimulus funds, which total $435 billion. In the past year, for instance, legislators have raised the charter school cap and moved toward linking teacher evaluations to student performance. Education officials are working with other states to form common learning standards and plan to adopt them in August.
Despite its best efforts, Illinois remained on the bench with 13 other finalists. It leaves us to wonder what lawmakers and policymakers could have done better, and how the state can increase its odds for round two.
That will take some study. The Illinois State Board of Education has the task of thoroughly examining the applications of the winning states - Delaware and Tennessee - as well as those that lost. As officials regroup, however, we offer just a few cautions.
If Illinois qualifies for any funds, half would be allocated to programs at the state level and the other half to districts that have promised various reforms. About 60 suburban districts signed onto the plan in the first round, and the handful of local schools that are among the state's lowest performing stand to gain the most. No one knows how much, and there could be costs involved.
"Anything that helps to fund education at this point will be welcomed," Elgin Area School District U-46 spokesman Tony Sanders told reporter Kerry Lester. "At the same time, Race to the Top would require additional expenditures as well. We're still unclear as to how much funds we would receive as a district."
The windfall may or may not include future funding, and new programs that cannot be sustained would be in danger of withering.
In addition, federal cash often comes with strings attached. Education Secretary Arne Duncan has said the money must be used for specific reforms and not to fill budget holes. If the funds are abused, they will be shifted to other states that are "doing it the right way," he said.
Duncan is right to keep the focus on reform. Our policymakers must do the same. Further changes they make with an eye on the federal prize must go beyond just checking a box on an application. Research-supported reforms that are implemented with plans for sustainability will offer the most benefit to our children.
Pending teacher layoffs, program reductions and a threatened $1.3 billion in state cuts make stimulus money especially attractive. We encourage a ramped-up effort in the federal race that will show Illinois is capable of successful reform. But once stimulus money is spent, it's gone. There is no substitute for long-term solutions.