EdWeek---Districts Gear Up for Race to Top Scramble
By Alyson Klein and Christina A. Samuels
Leaders of some large-city school districts say they are prepared to jump into the competition for nearly $400 million in new Race to the Top grants from the U.S. Department of Education. But the head of a coalition of rural districts said that while the money would be welcomed, it may require too much effort from small district staffs to apply for and to administer.
Draft rules spell out hurdles to winning
Draft regulations for the rewards, released late last month, would require districts to put a major focus on helping schools tailor instruction to the needs of individual students.The department anticipates giving out about 15 to 20 four-year grants of up to $25 million each. Districts would be able to apply for the funds individually, or as part of a consortium with other districts, even those in other states. Charter schools, as well as other organizations that are defined as a "local education agency" by their states, could compete as well.
Terry B. Grier, the superintendent of the 203,000-student Houston district, said the draft regulations were in line with what the district was anticipating and he expects Houston to apply.
However, state officials have made it clear that districts still will have to follow all of Texas' regulations, said Debbie Graves Ratcliffe, a spokeswoman for the Texas Education Agency.
"We just hope they'll take a look at the fine print," she said.
Texas has refused to apply for earlier state-level Race to the Top grants. Mr. Grier said the state has indicated it
Leaders of some large-city school districts say they are prepared to jump into the competition for nearly $400 million in new Race to the Top grants from the U.S. Department of Education. But the head of a coalition of rural districts said that while the money would be welcomed, it may require too much effort from small district staffs to apply for and to administer.
Draft rules spell out hurdles to winning
Draft regulations for the rewards, released late last month, would require districts to put a major focus on helping schools tailor instruction to the needs of individual students.The department anticipates giving out about 15 to 20 four-year grants of up to $25 million each. Districts would be able to apply for the funds individually, or as part of a consortium with other districts, even those in other states. Charter schools, as well as other organizations that are defined as a "local education agency" by their states, could compete as well.
Terry B. Grier, the superintendent of the 203,000-student Houston district, said the draft regulations were in line with what the district was anticipating and he expects Houston to apply.
However, state officials have made it clear that districts still will have to follow all of Texas' regulations, said Debbie Graves Ratcliffe, a spokeswoman for the Texas Education Agency.
"We just hope they'll take a look at the fine print," she said.
Texas has refused to apply for earlier state-level Race to the Top grants. Mr. Grier said the state has indicated it