K-12 | Policy
Watch States for Next Steps in School Improvement
Posted June 22, 2010
Also in Issue 1, Volume 6:
Local Chamber Gets Involved in RTTT
Common State Standards Move Forward
At-a-Glance: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Watch States for Next Steps in School Improvement
This summer, the action on Title I school improvement grants has moved to the state level. 31 jurisdictions (30 states and the District of Columbia) are running their competitions, announcing results, and setting up training sessions for the summer so that school improvement begins on time – by the first day of the school year.
Judging by available information, at least in their first round of competition, states appear to be following ED’s guidance by targeting funds to Tier I and Tier II schools (defined as the lowest-performing 5 percent of Title I and Title II-eligible schools and secondary schools graduating less than 60 percent of students).
State applications for their districts vary in their detail, complexity and process, but adhere closely to the federal requirements. Since many state due dates fell in May, more district-level applications will become available on state web sites, as required.
The table below provides a glimpse into what some states are doing as they move forward with implementing these grants.
Now that it’s mid-June, however, it’s time to raise some questions about the as-yet-unfunded state applications. States have been working with ED since late February, and time is running out for states to carry out their district-level competitions and have reforms in place by the beginning of the school year.
Two of these states – Delaware and Tennessee – are the two Race to the Top winners from the first round. Early on, it was apparent that some state applications weren’t specific enough about how they intended to build capacity, both in districts and schools, to support school improvement. It’s not clear whether that’s still an issue.
The Department says there’s no delay in making these awards, but did not respond to questions about any patterns across state applications that might explain the situation.
|
Alabama |
Chose to focus on middle schools, funding six Tier I schools. All schools will be using state-directed models. |
| District of Columbia | The District is “reconstituting” six schools, and an external partner will work with a seventh school. |
| Maryland | The state’s reform support system, titled “The Breakthrough Center,” is relying on business and community partners for human and fiscal support for its lowest-performing schools. Businesses provide leadership support and targeted funding, while other partners provide community-based services. |
| Massachusetts | Grants combine recent state laws with a new process and intervention powers with the federal Title I funds. Applicants must create redesign plans that address both district and school-level issues. |
| Minnesota | Conducted quality school reviews in all districts that indicated an intent to apply for funding. Minnesota is also requiring schools to put in place a site administrator to remove non-instructional duties from principals. |
| New Mexico | NM has already funded district applications and comments are posted on their website. |
| New York | Merged its School Under Registration Review (SURR) process with the federal requirements for persistently low-achieving schools. Failure to successfully implement an intervention model could subject schools to revocation of registration. |
| Ohio | Actively sought postsecondary institutions and other external partners that wish to support school improvement through a formal request for proposal. |
| South Carolina | School improvement process is overseen by the Project 180 Council, comprised of 10 members. Members include representatives from higher education, schools, districts, and the community. The Council reviews applications, provides technical assistance, and conducts due diligence as well as tracking capacity issues. |
| Texas | Will award priority points to districts for incorporating supplemental educational services into intervention models or enhancing/expanding current SES programs. |
| Washington | WA has already funded district applications, and comments are posted on their website. |
| West Virginia | Solicited applications for external supporting partners from which districts can contract to improve performance. |
Download ICW's Education Stimulus Report (Vol. 1, Issue 6) (pdf)
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