The 2012 Teacher Incentive Fund Grant Competition

The U.S. Department of Education announced the final application period for the $285 million Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF) 2012 competition. This round of the competition includes a new focus on supporting district-wide evaluation systems that reward success, offer greater professional opportunities, and drive decision-making on recruitment, development, and retention of effective teachers and principals. The Read more about The 2012 Teacher Incentive Fund Grant Competition[…]

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District-Level Race to the Top to Focus on the Classroom, Provide Tools to Enhance Learning and Serve the Needs of Every Student

The U.S. Department of Education has released proposed criteria for the 2012 Race to the Top program – a nearly $400 million competition that invites school districts to create plans for individualized classroom instruction aimed at closing achievement gaps and preparing each student for college and career. “Today, we’re taking the next step forward. We’re Read more about District-Level Race to the Top to Focus on the Classroom, Provide Tools to Enhance Learning and Serve the Needs of Every Student[…]

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Preparing Teachers to Meet the Needs of ELLs

As states begin to implement the Common Core, there has been an increased focus on English Language Learners, or ELLs, in the classroom.  An estimated 25% of children in America live in households where a language other than English is spoken.  How can “regular” classroom teachers support the needs of these students?  A new report Read more about Preparing Teachers to Meet the Needs of ELLs[…]

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Fishman Prize Winners Announced

TNTP has announced the first-ever winners of their Fishman Prize for Superlative Classroom Practice.  This prize was created to recognize excellent teachers across the country and because “we believe our best teachers deserve far more attention for their hard work, dedication, and extraordinary outcomes with students.”  The winners will each receive $25,000 – one of Read more about Fishman Prize Winners Announced[…]

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New Round of i3 Announced

The US Department of Education has announced the third round of Investing in Innovation (i3) grants.  This is a competitive grant program designed for local education agencies, groups of schools and non-profits that are seeking funds to improve student results through innovative practices. The grant competition has been structured slightly differently this round than previously.  Read more about New Round of i3 Announced[…]

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Learning Forward Foundation Scholarships and Grants

The Learning Forward Foundation, formerly the National Staff Development Council, is accepting applications for grants and scholarships in several key areas: 1. Learning Forward Affiliate Grant:  This award is intended to provide a Learning Forward affiliate organization to further their local work.  Funds will allow the organization to create or expand their outreach.  Awards are Read more about Learning Forward Foundation Scholarships and Grants[…]

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Education and the FY 2012 Budget

The final budget for the Department of Education was finalized late last month, which will take the agency through September 30, 2012.  Overall, the Department’s funding was cut by about $153 million over last fiscal year (total funding $71.3 billion), but President Obama was able to fend off the complete annihilation of programs such as Read more about Education and the FY 2012 Budget[…]

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TNTP Launches the Fishman Prize for Superlative Classroom Practice

TNTP, formerly The New Teacher Project, has launched a new prestigious award called the Fishman Prize.  The $25,000 award will be bestowed annually to a select group of public school teachers and will give them the opportunity to complete a summer fellowship with TNTP. The prize will be awarded to no more than five teachers Read more about TNTP Launches the Fishman Prize for Superlative Classroom Practice[…]

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Race to the Top Round Three

Last week the Department of Education released the proposed requirements for the new round of Race to the Top (RTT) grants (not to be confused with the Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge, which is a separate competition).  This year, $200 million is up for grabs, with only the finalists from the last Read more about Race to the Top Round Three[…]

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SIG Schools Get Extra Time for Teacher Evaluation Systems

The Department of Education has invited states and schools who were awarded a School Improvement Grant (SIG) to take some extra time to figure out the most crucial component: teacher evaluation.  All of the schools and states eligible for the waiver are using the most popular, and arguably least rigorous, “transformational model” of school turnaround Read more about SIG Schools Get Extra Time for Teacher Evaluation Systems[…]

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Already Ahead: Top Contenders in the RTT-ELC

The Early Education Initiative (EEI), part of the New America Foundation, has compiled a wealth of data in an attempt to identify front-runners and possible contenders for the Department of Education’s Race to the Top—Early Learning Challenge grant competition.  The data analyzed for all 50 states plus the District of Columbia included the presence of Read more about Already Ahead: Top Contenders in the RTT-ELC[…]

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Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge

The Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) grant applications became available August 23, causing a flurry of activity across the country.  The purpose of RTT-ELC is to increase the quality of early childhood education in order to help close the achievement gap for low-income and disadvantaged children. The program has several priorities Read more about Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge[…]

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Relief Waivers: Cure What Ails You?

Earlier this week, President Obama gave the Department of Education the go-ahead on beginning to grant waivers to states seeking relief from some provisions of ESEA /NCLB.  “We want to deliver a very important message: Relief is on the way,” said Melody Barnes, director of the White House Domestic Policy Council. “Low expectations, uneven standards Read more about Relief Waivers: Cure What Ails You?[…]

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Study Questions Whether “i3” Found Innovation

A report released July 25 by Bellwether Education Partners sought to answer a crucial question:  Did the Investing in Innovation (“i3”) program successfully find truly innovative ideas to improve K-12 education?  The report is the culmination of interviews with dozens of i3 applicants, winners and philanthropists, plus a review of public documents about the program. Read more about Study Questions Whether “i3” Found Innovation[…]

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Investing in Innovation Competition

The U.S. Department of Education announced that $150 million will be available for the next round of Investing in Innovation (i3) grants to continue support for evidence-based practices in education. Individual school districts, groups of districts, and nonprofits in partnership with districts or a consortium of schools are invited to apply. Award amounts have been Read more about Investing in Innovation Competition[…]

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Two New Race to the Top Competitions

The nine finalist states that did not win grants in the first two rounds of Race to the Top will be eligible to compete for $200 million in additional funds this year.  Applications will be available this fall.  The states — Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina — may Read more about Two New Race to the Top Competitions[…]

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