District, union enter 'Race to the Top' partnership
Rockford Public Schools Superintendent LaVonne M. Sheffield and Rockford Education Association President Molly Phalen announced today a groundbreaking partnership to pursue federal “Race to the Top” funding that could bring millions of dollars into Rockford schools for innovative education reforms to improve student achievement, graduation rates and college readiness.
Officials for the school district and the REA have signed Memoranda of Understanding to join the State of Illinois in its application for more than $500 million in Race to the Top funding. School districts that commit to reform initiatives contained in the state’s proposal are eligible for more than half of any RTTT award that Illinois receives.
The memoranda were signed by Sheffield and Board of Education President David Kelley on behalf of Rockford Public Schools and by Phalen on behalf of the REA. School districts participating in the state’s application had until January 11 to submit signed agreements.
School districts that sign the memoranda are taking the first step toward reforms in four key areas:- Adoption of learning standards and progress assessments to prepare students for success in college and the workplace as well as to compete in the global economy.
- Creation of data systems that measure student growth and inform teachers and principals on ways to improve instruction.
- Recruitment, development, evaluation, recognition and retention of effective teachers and principals, especially in difficult-to-staff schools.
- Improvement that turns around the lowest-achieving (priority) schools.
In signing the memoranda, Sheffield noted that Rockford schools are well positioned to receive Race to the Top funds and serve as a model for other districts in Illinois.
“Using data to improve instruction, developing great teachers and leaders, holding adults accountable for student growth – we are already working hard to move our schools forward on all of these fronts,” Sheffield said. “It’s a question of: Do we decide our own destiny or let others decide for us?”
Phalen applauded the agreement as a demonstration of the willingness of the REA to work together with the school administration on a variety of complex issues facing Rockford schools. “Race to the Top gives the REA a chance to play an active role in addressing issues that our teachers and community really care about – responsible leadership, collaborative planning and building quality in our educational system,” Phalen said. “To have money to support this is ‘frosting on the cake’.”
Sheffield said that an analysis of school performance data for the last five years illustrates the need to fix the system. Scores of high school students taking the Prairie State Achievement Examination, for example, have declined in reading and math for all racial groups and for economically disadvantage students.
“We know where we are, and we know where we must go. Our collaboration with the REA to secure Race to the Top funding underscores our shared commitment,” Sheffield said. “We know what our challenges are, and the path to victory in our classrooms is clear.”
Kelley said he and fellow Board members commend school administrators and union leaders for the proactive approach and spirit of cooperation.
“The importance of this partnership should not be underestimated,” Kelley said. “The agreement calls for reforms that students deserve and outcomes that everyone wants to see. The reforms may not come easily, but they surely will take our students and our community to a better place.”
President Barack Obama established the Race to the Top competitive grant program as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act economic stimulus package he signed in February 2009. ARRA provides $4.35 billion nationally for Race to the Top; the first round of grant awards is scheduled to be announced April 20, 2010.
|
