Obama plans to bolster Race to the Top program

President Barack Obama on Tuesday announced his plans to extend the federal Race to the Top initiative for an additional year.

The program, which will award a total of $4.35 billion to states with the best plans to shake up their school systems, was developed last year as part of the federal stimulus plan.

Obama is now asking Congress to approve $1.35 billion in funding for the 2011 fiscal year.

And this time, he wants local school districts — and not just states — to compete.

“We’re committed to this for the long haul,” U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said.

“We’re not only committed to working with states, we want to push that level of innovation at the district level, as well.”

The announcement might help to assuage criticism that the program currently gives states too much control. This year, only state departments of education could apply for the grant money. States then asked their school districts and teachers unions to sign on to their applications.

In Florida, most unions would not sign on, in large part because the state had set forth too many requirements.

Tuesday’s news was welcomed in Broward County, the only large school district in Florida that did not co-sign the state’s application for funds.

“I think it’s a great movement on the part of the federal government,” Broward Superintendent Jim Notter said. “We truly need the dollars to make the systematic changes, especially as the recession continues to strangle governments.”

Race to the Top targets four areas for reform: standards and tests, effective educators, data systems and turnaround for struggling schools.

Tuesday marked the first deadline for applications from state governments.

As of Tuesday evening, the U.S. Department of Education had received applications from 40 states, including Florida, plus the District of Columbia.

Winners will be notified in April, Duncan said. States that don’t win will be able to apply for a second round in June.

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