Peninsula school districts unsure of 'Race to the Top' proposal - San Jose Mercury News:
"School districts are weighing their commitment to a federal program that could bring them millions of dollars but also plenty of uncertainty.
The state is asking districts to sign off on its proposed application for funding under the Obama administration's 'Race to the Top' initiative, in which California could earn up to $700 million for school reforms in a competition with other states.
Several local districts, including Jefferson Union High and Sequoia Union High, have told the state they intend to participate in that application although they remain wary of unintended consequences."
"The problem for many of us is it's unclear what the state's play is going to be," said Michael Crilly, superintendent of Jefferson Union in Daly City. "So it's almost signing up for something that you're not totally clear about."
State lawmakers are hurriedly trying to piece together legislation that would make California eligible for the $4.4 billion program. The deadline for states to submit their application is Jan. 19.
Ahead of that, state education leaders want districts by Jan. 8 to send in a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, that confirms their participation.
"We're trying to get as many on board because it'll help bolster the application to the feds," said Tina Jung, spokeswoman for the state Department of Education.
As of Tuesday morning, 385 educational agencies out of more than 1,000 sent the state a letter of intent, according to the department.
"A portion have already submitted MOUs," Education Department spokeswoman Hilary McLean added. "We expect more MOUs to come in before Jan. 8."