Final Rules On Charter Schools In $4 Billion Federal Grants Criticized AHN:
"Washington, D.C. (AHN) - The Education Department's final rules on its 'Race to the Top' competition for states is being both praised and criticized for its de-emphasis on charter schools and student achievement to measure teacher performance.
The $4.35 billion program announced in July awards grants to states that show a record of undertaking reforms and a plan for further improvements, such raising caps or changing laws that prohibit charter schools, supporting merit pay and using student test scores to evaluate teachers, and establishing effective data systems for students. The funds are part of the $100 billion set aside for education in the administration's stimulus, or $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
But the final rules released by the Education Department on Thursday put less emphasis on the use of test scores and the expansion of charter schools. 'Multiple measures' will now be used to evaluate teachers but these measures 'includ[e] a strong emphasis on the growth in achievement of students.'"
The agency said it made the changes after reviewing comments from more than 1,100 people. "The comments helped us clarify that we want states to think through how they will create a comprehensive agenda to drive reform forward," announced Education Sec. Arne Duncan.
The changes seemed to assuage teachers.
"The Department of Education worked hard to strike the right balance between what it takes to get systemwide improvement for schools and kids, and how to measure that improvement," the American Federation of Teachers said in a statement. "Policy is made in Washington, but reform happens where students are taught-in the classroom. Race to the Top creates a real opportunity, but it will work only if all stakeholders come together to make it work."
Read more: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7016985939?Final%20Rules%20On%20Charter%20Schools%20In%20$4%20Billion%20Federal%20Grants%20Criticized#ixzz0WkcXiGMs
"Washington, D.C. (AHN) - The Education Department's final rules on its 'Race to the Top' competition for states is being both praised and criticized for its de-emphasis on charter schools and student achievement to measure teacher performance.
The $4.35 billion program announced in July awards grants to states that show a record of undertaking reforms and a plan for further improvements, such raising caps or changing laws that prohibit charter schools, supporting merit pay and using student test scores to evaluate teachers, and establishing effective data systems for students. The funds are part of the $100 billion set aside for education in the administration's stimulus, or $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
But the final rules released by the Education Department on Thursday put less emphasis on the use of test scores and the expansion of charter schools. 'Multiple measures' will now be used to evaluate teachers but these measures 'includ[e] a strong emphasis on the growth in achievement of students.'"
The agency said it made the changes after reviewing comments from more than 1,100 people. "The comments helped us clarify that we want states to think through how they will create a comprehensive agenda to drive reform forward," announced Education Sec. Arne Duncan.
The changes seemed to assuage teachers.
"The Department of Education worked hard to strike the right balance between what it takes to get systemwide improvement for schools and kids, and how to measure that improvement," the American Federation of Teachers said in a statement. "Policy is made in Washington, but reform happens where students are taught-in the classroom. Race to the Top creates a real opportunity, but it will work only if all stakeholders come together to make it work."
Read more: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7016985939?Final%20Rules%20On%20Charter%20Schools%20In%20$4%20Billion%20Federal%20Grants%20Criticized#ixzz0WkcXiGMs