tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9202687599504806318.post7880650530172330213..comments2024-02-23T03:53:53.798-05:00Comments on Doc H's Blog: Race to the Top and Charter SchoolsDr. Stephen L. Pruitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16880287602750084367noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9202687599504806318.post-5755318298895076462009-08-28T15:19:00.872-04:002009-08-28T15:19:00.872-04:00Dick --
Thanks for your question about data and ...Dick --<br /> <br />Thanks for your question about data and results from our turnaround efforts. Our Race to the Top team members are pulling the report together, since I asked the same question that you did. While anecdotal stories may help everyone feel good about processes, the RTTT application will require specific data showing the number of schools and districts that have come out of improvement status. While causality is extremely difficult to prove, we have to review correlations between the Highly Skilled Educator program and other department interventions to the district and school level status.Dr. Stephen L. Pruitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16880287602750084367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9202687599504806318.post-63223233374877382242009-08-26T10:29:46.849-04:002009-08-26T10:29:46.849-04:00Dr. Holliday,
In one of your comments above, you ...Dr. Holliday,<br /><br />In one of your comments above, you say, "It is our opinion that our efforts since the Kentucky Education Reform Act with regard to interventions in low-performing schools could give us “bonus” points on our application and thus offset the charter school issue."<br /><br />Can you provide more information and some specific examples? What data do you have to support this impression?Richard Inneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14059705792512008731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9202687599504806318.post-87806986793544536602009-08-24T08:38:13.532-04:002009-08-24T08:38:13.532-04:00Jan, those are exactly the kinds of issues that mu...Jan, those are exactly the kinds of issues that must be analyzed before Kentucky makes any decisions about whether charters are a good option for the state. We're not going to make hasty moves on charters -- but I don't want to close the door on those before we've had a chance to look at data, see cost projections, determine the best protocols for oversight and analyze other factors.Dr. Stephen L. Pruitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16880287602750084367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9202687599504806318.post-8280843495410978022009-08-22T12:38:13.697-04:002009-08-22T12:38:13.697-04:00I worry about anything that draws critical funds a...I worry about anything that draws critical funds and attention away from the best way to educate the most children. Why are charter schools often assumed to be a better option than improving the whole system? I've read that charter schools' application process is restrictive at best (and elitist at worst,) their emphasis on cost cutting is unrealistic, they are unfriendly to unions and can lead to a decrease in local control, which I happen to think is hugely important. Do you think Kentucky necessarily needs charter schools?Jan, The Reasonable Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06854053942320899223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9202687599504806318.post-47281819033472001712009-08-21T13:24:27.948-04:002009-08-21T13:24:27.948-04:00I do believe we will be able to respond to these c...I do believe we will be able to respond to these criteria.<br /><br />The issue of charter schools is listed as a “selection criteria” under the reform area of “Turning Around Struggling Schools.” As such, Kentucky's lack of legislation enabling charter schools will count against the state, but it will not make Kentucky ineligible to apply for the Race to the Top fund. The other selection criteria in the “Turning Around Struggling Schools” reform area relates to intervening in low-performing schools. It is our opinion that our efforts since the Kentucky Education Reform Act with regard to interventions in low-performing schools could give us “bonus” points on our application and thus offset the charter school issue.<br /><br /> <br /><br />It is also important to note that this “notice” is preliminary in nature and USDOE is currently accepting public comment that could result in changes to the language in the guidance. Many national education organizations are responding with suggested improvements in the language. Some of this public comment has urged the USDOE to ensure that: <br /><br />§ in its weighting no single criteria or assurance area can by itself eliminate states from competing for RTTT <br /><br />§ the Final Notice language be broadened, so that charters and "charter-like" options and other models are included among school turnaround optionsDr. Stephen L. Pruitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16880287602750084367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9202687599504806318.post-67673612435485245762009-08-21T11:35:38.782-04:002009-08-21T11:35:38.782-04:00Dr. Holliday,
On July 29, US Dept of Ed released...Dr. Holliday, <br /><br />On July 29, US Dept of Ed released proposed selection criteria for the Race to the Top competition (http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/proprule/2009-3/072909d.html). <br /><br />One section of the criteria is "Turning Around Struggling Schools," which includes criteria related to state's laws, procedures, funding, and facilities for charter schools. <br /><br />Do you think Kentucky will be able to respond adequately to these selection criteria? Will our application be at a competitive disadvantage?Jason, Lacey, Riley, and Carterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14920243217035562738noreply@blogger.com