By Alaska Newspapers Staff
Sen. Mark Begich has secured a commitment from Education Secretary Arne Duncan to formulate a rural set aside for competitive grant programs impacting rural schools.
The Alaska Democrat said Duncan agreed with him during a budget committee hearing today on the President's 2012 education budget, that rural schools can be at a disadvantage when competing for federal grants with cities like Los Angeles and Chicago and adjustments need to be made to make sure rural schools can compete.
" We think we can do more and do a better job in rural communities," Duncan said. "We want to make sure we are playing in a significant way in the rural communities. We are learning there."
Begich said rural communities are often at a disadvantage when it comes to competing for Investing in Innovation and Race to the Top funding because the cost is deemed higher when you have smaller student populations. Duncan agreed adjustments need to be made for rural schools and that he committed to a rural set aside in the Investing in Innovation program to allow rural schools to fairly compete.
Duncan also agreed that the No Child Left Behind Act is not working across the country and is in need of significant overhaul, Begich said.
"No Child Left Behind is a disaster," Begich said. "It has no real understanding of rural America, and when I say rural America, I mean rural Alaska."
Begich said he plans to reintroduce his Investing in Innovation for Education Act with improvements to help rural schools compete. This legislation authorizes the Investing in Innovation Fund to continue promoting innovative ideas proposed by organizations with records of improving student outcomes. Created in the Economic Recovery Act, the program would be permanently put into law under Begich's bill. The bill will reward school districts, groups of schools, and community organizations with innovative teaching and learning programs. Priority is given for grant applicants proposing to improve early learning outcomes, support college access and success, and support family and community engagement.