NH EDUCATIONAL NEWS
RACE TO THE TOP - Race to the Top grants are included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and are eligible to states that are proposing educational innovations. Epping Schools are presently receiving ARRA funds distributed through the existing Title 1 and IDEA grants. Race to the Top funds must be requested by states.
Race to the Top grants will be awarded to states that have implemented or plan to implement initiatives in the following four areas. Race to the Top is competitive with approximately $9.7 billion in grant funds available.
- Effective Teachers and Leaders
- Data Systems
- Standards and Assessments
- Struggling Schools
Commissioner Virginia Barry requested informal input from school districts regarding these funds followed by formal input in the form of written proposals. School district proposals were due December 18, 2009. The timing for school districts was difficult as the budget process was near completion. It was further complicated by the timing of the approval notification dates. Round 1 approval would take place in April and if the state did not receive funding on the first round the second notification would take place in August. By April and August plans are already in place for the following school year.
It is thought that Race to the Top will serve as a pilot for the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind and the allocation of Title Grant Funding. The district could wait it out or participate in the process. It was decided that Epping should participate to receive the funding, but also to provide much needed input from a small school district. In other words, we could let it happen to us or get involved and make it work for us. Participation also significantly impacted the Epping budget process. Due to the timing of the grant it was decided to revise the budget to align with the grant proposal.
Thirty five school districts elected to participate in the state application. The state application may be viewed by clicking here. Epping submitted two proposals - one for the district with special emphasis on the high school and one for the elementary and middle schools. Epping is included in the state application. The district has been notified that at a minimum the district proposal has been included.
The district proposal will develop and implement a continuous model for improved student learning throughout the district and keep at focus the turnaround of the high school. This work will encompass a combination of actions over a four year period. The proposed project will develop a conceptual improvement model and framework in which to work, align district curriculum to the US standards, embed 21st Century skills and themes, provide alternative/extended student learning opportunities, use data and assessments to identify student academic needs, provide staff training, offer community workshops, further develop evaluation systems, etc. It is also important to note that the proposal is written taking into account the grant funding expiring after four years. A major aspect of the grant is to build teacher leadership capacity throughout the district to carry on the work after the grant is gone. Included in the grant budget is an internal project leader to coordinate the project, content specialists to support curriculum alignment, keynote speakers, 21st Century skills consultant, and other services. The district proposal may be viewed by clicking here.
The elementary and middle school proposal focuses on standards and assessments and data systems to support instruction. This proposal aligns with the district proposal focusing on aligning curriculum, grading and reporting, using student data, providing professional development in mathematics, and developing a response to intervention for students not meeting proficiency. The budget includes a data specialist and project leader, mathematics specialist, consultants, and other services. The elementary and middle school proposal may be viewed by clicking here.
The New Hampshire Department of Education was notified that New Hampshire was not selected for Round 1. The state will be receiving feedback from the USDOE and resubmitting the application for Round 2.
March 5, 2010