Stimulus Billions May Spur School Reform

Washington Post: Education Secretary Will Dole Out $5B To States That Promote Classroom Innovation

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Washington Post Staff Writer Maria Glod.

---

Education Secretary Arne Duncan said yesterday that he will leverage a $5 billion fund to shape school reform, rewarding states that push for classroom innovation with federal stimulus dollars and denying extra aid to those that do not.

Duncan's comments detailed how he will manage the Race to the Top Fund, an unprecedented pot of cash created by the stimulus law that extends Washington's reach into local school affairs. No other education secretary has controlled such a fund. Duncan said he will dole out the money based in part on how states and school systems spend tens of billions of dollars in other stimulus funding intended to prevent layoffs and program cuts and help educate children who live in poverty or have disabilities.

"States that are simply investing in the status quo will put themselves at a tremendous competitive disadvantage for getting those additional funds," Duncan said in a conference call with reporters. "I can't emphasize strongly enough how important it is for states and districts to think very creatively and to think very differently about how they use this first set of money."

Overall, the stimulus law pumps about $100 billion into public schools, universities and early childhood education. Most of the funding for school systems will be distributed through long-standing formulas that incorporate such factors as the number of students from low-income families or in special education. But experts said schools hit hard by the economic downturn are hungry for new funding. That could make education officials more willing to experiment with performance pay, extended school days and other efforts that Duncan wants to encourage through the $5 billion fund.

"States are going to be panting to get these extra dollars," said Jack Jennings, president of the D.C.-based Center on Education Policy.

A survey of more than 850 school administrators in 48 states released yesterday by the Arlington County-based American Association of School Administrators found that a growing number of schools have been forced to increase class sizes, lay off employees and cut back programs meant to help struggling students.

Duncan said that in general he supports efforts to extend the school day or year for disadvantaged children, new approaches to overhaul low-performing schools and performance-pay programs. He challenged educators and policymakers to "think differently" about school spending.

"Some of this has to do with resources; some of this has to do with thinking innovatively and having the political will and the courage to challenge some of these status quos," Duncan said.

The stimulus law calls for most of the $5 billion to go toward supporting efforts to create better tests and shore up data systems to track student achievement. The fund includes $650 million for partnerships between schools, or schools and nonprofit groups. The money could be used to support charter schools, which are publicly financed but independently run. Separately, the stimulus law provides $200 million for performance-pay programs for teachers.

[nomealaska]

Palin doesn't want the money. She wants to keep young Alaskans stupid enough to keep her in office.

Here is the religion portion of my comment, since all these comment areas are about religion or politics:
What does god have to do with the end of the world anyway? Which god? What end? There are so many gods, and I don't think they all want to end the world in fire and brimstone.

[taryder]

For I KNOW 777, we might as well have used nuclear weapons!.........
We have now with Obama and GWB in the past eight years killed hundreds of thousands of people in the name of OUR god, and to make up for the 3500+ we lost 9-11.

[I_know_777]

The proof that GOD changed GOD'S LAW centers around the absolute FACT that former president George W. Bush Jr. was going to invade IRAN during 2006; and former president George W. Bush Jr. was not ruling out the possibility of the use of NUCLEAR WEAPONS, concerning the invasion! IRAN was absolutely the "TRIGGER" that was to initiate the NUCLEAR HOLOCAUST (Russia and China against the UNITED STATES) that would have destroyed the UNITED STATES in one hour by FIRE (BIBLE/REVELATIONS chapters 17 and 18). The BOOK OF DANIEL has an abstract version located in DANIEL chapter 7 and verse 4 [when the wings of the EAGLE are removed a man shall arise]. CORRECT INTERPRETATION (DANIEL chapter 7 and verse 4): When the UNITED STATES is "DESTROYED", the ANTI-CHRIST will arise in EUROPE ("EUROPEAN UNION"). Furthermore, the exact alignment of EZEKIEL chapters 38 and 39 were absolutely necessary for everything to take place. EZEKIEL chapters 38 and 39 were in exact alignment during 2006 (year of "DARKNESS"/June 6, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.)! Since the UNITED STATES is still here the inevitable did not occur (2006); therefore, GOD changed destiny after GOD changed GOD'S LAW!

[I_know_777]

The proof that GOD changed GOD'S LAW centers around the absolute FACT that former president George W. Bush Jr. was going to invade IRAN during 2006; and former president George W. Bush Jr. was not ruling out the possibility of the use of NUCLEAR WEAPONS, concerning the invasion! IRAN was absolutely the "TRIGGER" that was to initiate the NUCLEAR HOLOCAUST (Russia and China against the UNITED STATES) that would have destroyed the UNITED STATES in one hour by FIRE (BIBLE/REVELATIONS chapters 17 and 18). The BOOK OF DANIEL has an abstract version located in DANIEL chapter 7 and verse 4 [when the wings of the EAGLE are removed a man shall arise]. CORRECT INTERPRETATION (DANIEL chapter 7 and verse 4): When the UNITED STATES is "DESTROYED", the ANTI-CHRIST will arise in EUROPE ("EUROPEAN UNION"). Furthermore, the exact alignment of EZEKIEL chapters 38 and 39 were absolutely necessary for everything to take place. EZEKIEL chapters 38 and 39 were in exact alignment during 2006 (year of "DARKNESS"/June 6, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.)! Since the UNITED STATES is still here the inevitable did not occur (2006); therefore, GOD changed destiny after GOD changed GOD'S LAW!

[I_know_777]

The proof that GOD changed GOD'S LAW centers around the absolute FACT that former president George W. Bush Jr. was going to invade IRAN during 2006; and former president George W. Bush Jr. was not ruling out the possibility of the use of NUCLEAR WEAPONS, concerning the invasion! IRAN was absolutely the "TRIGGER" that was to initiate the NUCLEAR HOLOCAUST (Russia and China against the UNITED STATES) that would have destroyed the UNITED STATES in one hour by FIRE (BIBLE/REVELATIONS chapters 17 and 18). The BOOK OF DANIEL has an abstract version located in DANIEL chapter 7 and verse 4 [when the wings of the EAGLE are removed a man shall arise]. CORRECT INTERPRETATION (DANIEL chapter 7 and verse 4): When the UNITED STATES is "DESTROYED", the ANTI-CHRIST will arise in EUROPE ("EUROPEAN UNION"). Furthermore, the exact alignment of EZEKIEL chapters 38 and 39 were absolutely necessary for everything to take place. EZEKIEL chapters 38 and 39 were in exact alignment during 2006 (year of "DARKNESS"/June 6, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.)! Since the UNITED STATES is still here the inevitable did not occur (2006); therefore, GOD changed destiny after GOD changed GOD'S LAW!

[I_know_777]

I stated before that GOD did change GOD'S LAW during 2006. This change would only affect the other 99.9% that were absolutely destined to go back to the abyss after their transition back to immortality. Basically, the change in GOD'S LAW affected "DARKNESS", which included the MASONS/SKULLS. The message was NOT for the CHRISTIANS; they were already "SAVED"!

Since GOD changed GOD'S LAW, there is adequate change for change to take place. The destruction of certain individuals is NOT necessary anymore! Therefore, everything can take a new direction! Things that could not be changed before can be changed now!

[taryder]

We used to have EXCELLENT SCHOOLS!! No amount of Obama or MORE SOCIAL ENGINEERING is going to make our schools the way they used to be. And please do NOT mention "Charter" schools.........This is just a word for RELIGIOUS schools.......We have another president who consults REGULARILY with ministers, and THAT was the SAME problem we have HAD the past 8!!!! years. As a matter of fact, RELIGION in our government has caused many, many problems now and the past 8 years. Please remove RELIGION from our government, and you'll see things will start to work RIGHT like they used to!..............It is interesting that we have 3 WARS GOING (Iraq, Afghanistan & Pakiestan and SOON our southern border/Mexico) and escalating while we have elected officials that think the bible and Evangelical minister consults is the answer. Please!!! we HAVE a constitution and THAT is WHAT has ALWAYS made this country GREAT!

[sirmarion-2009]

You want to fix the schools? really? DISCIPLINE is the key,When there is no Punishment for acting a fool in school there is no Learning.And the parents are at Fault,all they want to do is Sue the Education system,if a teacher or principle spanks a kid,they are hit with a law suit....Untill you take the Lawyers out of the (Sue for everything) rational..You will not be able to throw enough money at the education system to fix it.. Discipline...Like A military school is what is needed,So students focus on their studies and not their clothes.

[sirmarion-2009]

More Government intervention,just what we need thats what got US here to start with.

[jxknowles]

The states desparately need the money, so this is a positive move. Unfortuntely, we'll continue to see a slide in education in South Carolina, Texas, Alaska and Louisiana.