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[…]
Last month, the Tennessee State Board of Education adopted a state-recommended, state-wide teacher evaluation model currently being used in South Carolina. The Board also adopted three alternate models for districts to choose from, and the state will monitor each district closely in the coming year to make sure that teachers are being judged fairly regardless Read more about Tennessee Approves New Teacher Evaluation Model[…]
In its latest report, The New Teacher Project (TNTP) addresses eligible applicants of Round 3 of the Race to the Top (taking place this fall), and other states seeking to most effectively invest their time and resources in implementing revised teacher development and evaluation tools. Their investment suggestions fall into five categories: 1. Tools and Read more about Smart Spending for Better Teacher Evaluations[…]
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[…]
In two rounds of competitive proposals, the U.S. Secretary of Education awarded RTT funds to 11 states and the District of Columbia. A recent paper from the Center for American Progress describes and analyzes one component of the RTT proposals in these 11 states and D.C.—namely, state plans to promote improvements in teacher quality through Read more about Race to the Top and Teacher Preparation[…]