After losing out on Race to the Top funds, DISD’s Miles says he needs more state money for reforms
During Dallas ISD Superintendent Mike Miles’ first six months on the job, he exerted great effort in securing federal funds to jumpstart his education reform plans for two school feeder groups. He wants to take Pinkston High School and Lincoln High School and the campuses that feed into them and build a network of community support around them. The plan mirrors the lauded Harlem Children’s Zone in New York City.
Miles authored a concept paper on his plan, expanded the district’s grants department and guided U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan through Pinkston in November to highlight the goals. Miles wanted $30 million in federal Race to the Top money — an Obama administration grant program that was previously only available to states. (Texas Gov. Rick Perry declined to participate in it.)
The district was named a finalist for the prize a day before Duncan arrived. But just a few weeks later,hopes were dashed when the Education Department announced the winners and DISD was left off. But