Fresno teachers union backs controversial federal grant
After a marathon debate, the Fresno teachers union early Friday agreed to endorse its school district's application for a federal grant that will require controversial changes in instructor evaluations.
The Fresno Teachers Assn. became one of the few teachers unions in California to back a federal Race to the Top grant proposal by signing off on it just before 2 a.m. The $40-million grant application proposes to boost literacy skills for young students in 67 elementary schools with a blend of new technology and traditional instruction.
The Los Angeles Unified School District planned to submit its $40-million proposal without union backing, which it could not obtain, but a federal official said that omission would disqualify the application. United Teachers Los Angeles officials have said they are concerned about the grant's cost to the district.
