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Thursday, June 17, 2010

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Is Race-To-The-Top headed for the dumper?

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Is Race-To-The-Top headed for the dumper?

Is Race-To-The-Top headed for the dumper?

Duncan's RTTT--read school closing, teacher firing, test-and-punish, "merit-pay"-- plan is running into tough opposition from key members of congress, especially from Democrats. Some don't like the few reform choices and formula-driven grants available to school districts, currently limited to closing low-performing schools; "turnaround" by replacing the principal and most of the staff; or turning schools over to private management companies.

Others, especially southern blue dogs like Mary Landrieu (D-La) oppose the needed sign-on from the teacher