Race to the Top federal education grant initiative draws concerns, despite possibility for millions in funds

Sunday, January 10, 2010
By COLIN MCEVOY
The Express-Times

Millions of dollars in grants could be available to Pennsylvania and New Jersey schools, but some school officials across the region and the two states aren't interested.

Pennsylvania is seeking up to $400 million from a federal education grant initiative, but some local districts and teachers unions feel there are too many strings attached to the money. New Jersey is seeking the same amount in grant money.

The Race to the Top initiative is a federal competitive grant program that encourages innovation and reform throughout public education.

The more schools across a state that apply for the money, the greater the chance that state has of receiving its maximum amount from the $4.35 billion federal pot. Without that support, the money could be diverted to other states.

But teachers unions have expressed concern with some of the conditions that come along with the money, including plans to tie teacher pay to student test scores.

It is far from clear how much of the money each state could receive, even with widespread support.

But Kevin Deely, president of the Easton Area Education Association teachers union, said even if Pennsylvania gets the full amount, the largest portion of the money will go to the 5 percent lowest-performing schools in the state, which do not include any Northampton County districts.

The New Jersey Education Association also objects to proposals that would use some of the money to link teacher pay to student test scores.

NJEA President Barbara Keshishian said the money is limited but the obligations are wide-ranging.

For all of these reasons, some school districts are opting not to submit applications at all, including the Saucon Valley School District.

"The extensive application (is) for minimal funding, an amount that is not guaranteed, over a five-year time frame, for a proposed application by the state for funding that they may or may not get," Superintendent Sandra Fellin said.

Race to the Top rewards states that implement school reforms, such as enhancing standards and assessments, improving data collection, improving teacher effectiveness and turning around struggling schools, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

But Deely said he is troubled by the idea of linking teacher pay to student performance, which he said will be measured by state standardized test scores.

Deely said test scores are only one of many ways to properly determine student performance. Deely wonders how the performance of special education students would be measured.

"Students don't fit into a mold," Deely said. "We don't believe you can fairly and objectively measure somebody this way."

Race to the Top has been placed on a fast track by the Obama administration, with the first round of applications due Jan. 19.

Districts are asked to provide signatures from their superintendent, school board president and teachers union representative.

But districts may choose to submit applications without all three signatures. The Easton Area School Board unanimously approved their application Thursday without Deely signing off.

Other school officials have said in this economy, they cannot afford not to seek the funding, even despite the many concerns.

Iris Cintron, the Bethlehem Area School District's supervisor of grants, said there were many unanswered questions, but the district planned to submit an application anyway.

"I don't think we're in any position to turn any of this money away if we can put it to good use," Cintron said.