The New Democrat June 23, 2010

HEADLINE: Ohio looks to Round 2 of Race to the Top

Staff report

Although participation was low when the program first began, several school districts throughout the state are hoping Ohio will be selected to receive a portion of $3.5 billion in competitive federal funding through the Race to the Top initiative.

At least three of Brown County's school districts have signed on to participate in the second Round of Race to the Top funding. Championed by President Barack Obama, the Race to the Top program seeks to encourage targeted improvements to schools with sizable funding awards. States compete against one another for shares of the funding, and representatives with the Ohio Department of Education expect the Buckeye State to be in a better position to receive a Round 2 award than in Round 1.

"We have straightened and expanded the reach of Ohio's application so that more of our students would benefit from Race to the Top funding," said Governor Ted Strickland. "Gathering support from groups around the state was a critical part of our effort to improve the Round 2 application. We collected more than 200 letters of support from people and groups who believe that Ohio needs a student-centered education focused on innovation and 21st Century skills."

Each school that decides to compete in the Race to the Top program was required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that committed that district to pursuing the reforms and initiatives outlined in a proposal authored by the state.

According to the US Department of Education, four specific areas of reform are identified and encouraged through the Race to the Top program. They include:

- Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace and to compete in the global economy;

- Building data systems that measure student growth and success, and inform teachers and principals about how they can improve instruction;

- Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals, especially where they are needed most; and

- Turning around the lowest-achieving schools.

Awards in Race to the Top will go to States that are leading the way with ambitious yet achievable plans for implementing coherent, compelling, and comprehensive education reform, according to the US Department of Education.

Only two states, Tennessee and Delaware, were selected to receive Round 1 funding, though 40 states applied.

Even with about half of the state's school districts participating, Ohio was a finalist in Round 1. State officials believe Ohio schools are much better positioned to be awarded funds in Round 2. Ohio's Round 2 application has already been submitted.

"Ohio's Race to the Top application is stronger, more detailed, more thorough and more robust. In developing our Round 2 application, we analyzed reviewers' comments from Round 1, engaged in many focus groups and analysis sessions with educators, parents, state leaders and members of the Ohio Legislature," said Deborah Delisle, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. "Through these many collaborative efforts and conversations, I believe we have accomplished our goal of increasing commitment from Ohio's schools and we can demonstrate that Ohio's education system is strongly supported by organizations beyond the education community."

Delisle said the state received a large number of comments and a great deal of input after Round 1 closed, and that input was a substantial help in developing the Round 2 application.

The number of participating Ohio schools increased from 480 in Round 1 to 537 in Round 2.

The Fayetteville-Perry School District is among those who declined to participate in Round 1, but have signed up for Round 2. Administrators at Fayetteville and other districts determined that the first-round funding, if awarded, would not be enough to cover the cost of implementing mandates required by participating in the program. In the first round, administrators at districts like Fayetteville determined that the most they could receive from the award would be about $40,000, spread out in $10,000 increments over four years.

While $10,000 might be a hefty sum for a private individual, that amount is small in comparison to a school district's budget.

However, Round 2 looks much more promising for schools like Fayetteville, as the minimum amount of funding awarded was increased to approximately $100,000.

Ohio is requesting a total of $400 million in its Round 2 application. If awarded, Ohio will distribute more than half of the funding, over $200,00, directly to participating schools. Because not every school district in the state is participating, those who did agree to the Memorandum of Understanding may receive a greater share than initially anticipated.

For instance, Western Brown anticipated receiving approximately $287,000 if Ohio is awarded. However, that figure was based on every district in the state signing on, so Western Brown's allocation could stand to increase greatly.

The Georgetown and Ripley Union Lewis Huntington School Districts both stood to receive approximately $100,000 if the state is awarded, and those amounts would increase significantly with a greater share of the award.

The Eastern Local School District declined o participate in both rounds of the program. Administrators said the program was closely looked at in both rounds, but the district again determined that the cost would not be worth the potential benefit of participation.

The remaining funding that is not distributed to school s will be designated for use to develop statewide initiatives that align with House Bill 1 and will deepen the work outlined by the Race to the Top program, according to information provided by the Governor's office. That includes more than $88 million dedicated to activities that directly support students and teachers and more than $24 million targeted for helping turn around the state's lowest achieving schools.

District administrators throughout the state will now await word from the US Department of Education, which is expected to notify Round 2 finalists in late July. Complete award announcements are expected by Sept. 1.

Even if the state does not receive Round 2 funding, Delisle said Ohio will continue its commitment to reforming the Buckeye State's educational system.

"Ohio's Round 2 application is a detailed strategy for enhancing our education system statewide. The work outlined in this application will proceed whether or not Ohio receives funding. Race to the Top funding would accelerate our work, return federal dollars to Ohio and provide many resources to deepen the work already required of districts and charter schools through House Bill 1," Delisle added. "Our students' future depends upon us making wise choices about the types or programs we offer to them. This work is about preparing them for their future - not our present."