Race to the Top for local schools

For Terrebonne and Lafourche Parish schools, it’s a race to the top.

Both school boards voted in favor of joining Race to the Top, a federal grant program that will disperse $4.35 billion across 50 states to foster public education reform.

Over the next few months, states will be competing for a stab at what some call “free money.”

Individual school districts will also be required to develop reform plans that meet the program’s guidelines. In an effort to garner funding, officials said that a consortium would be formed among local districts that share similar academic goals.

Among other sweeping changes, the program aims to change evaluation procedures for teachers and leaders of local schools. It would also tag their pay rates, promotion and retention to student academic achievement.

Non-tenured teachers who are not able to reach expectations could be exposed to stringent penalties, including termination. As for tenured teachers, questions still remain on what would be done to improve performance.

Documents released from the Louisiana Department of Education said, based on Louisiana’s population, the state could receive anywhere from $60 million to $175 million in resources.

In an attempt to outline its willingness to reform, “…the state plans to submit an application seeking approximately $300 million.”

If approved, the R2T program would require a 4-year commitment. Despite that, local officials seem supportive.

“We’re already doing most of [what R2T requires], so we’re way ahead of the curve,” said Terrebonne Parish School Superintendent Philip Martin at last week’s school board meeting. “My opinion is we need to take the money.

“If the state is approved, we’re getting money for things we’re already doing,” he continued. “And I’m very optimistic the state’s plan will be approved.”

At the monthly Lafourche school board meeting, Superintendent Jo Ann Matthews added, “…we can basically roll some of our existing programs into Race to the Top and save the district some money.”

According to the Louisiana Department of Education, 50 percent of funds received by the state would be allocated to participating or selected districts across the state. The rest would be used in conjunction with statewide initiatives to benefit all districts and schools.

Districts who opt not to participate directly with R2T can sign on as “involved LEAs.” Those districts would be eligible to participate in individual components of the state’s reform plan.

However, some are raising steep concerns.

“We just don’t need to become a stepchild to the federal government,” said Donald Duplantis, a member of the Terrebonne Parish School Board.

“There’s always some good and some bad,” noted Martin. “While there are parts of the program I’m not in love with, I certainly think it would benefit the children of Terrebonne Parish.”

While Lafourche and Terrebonne school boards moved in favor of the program last week, but state officials said they would have to wait until April to find out which states will get funding.