CAMDENTON, Mo. -- The Board of Aldermen voted last week to approve a letter of support written by Mayor Gentry North endorsing the Camdenton R-III School District's application for the Race to the Top program.
The school district is applying for funds from the U.S. Department of Education, which will provide nearly $400 million nationwide to support school districts in implementing local reforms that the department says will personalize learning, close achievement gaps and take full advantage of 21st century tools that prepare each student for college and their careers.
The Camdenton Chamber of Commerce also voted last week to support the initiative.
The Camdenton Board of Education will discuss and consider approval of the application at a special meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 23. Applications are due at the Department of Education by 4 p.m., Oct. 30.
The following information is a press release from the United States Board of Education about the Rise to the Top Program:
The program sets a high bar to fund those districts that have a track record of success, clear vision for reform, and innovative plans to transform the learning environment and accelerate student achievement.
“Race to the Top: helped bring about groundbreaking education reforms in states across the country. Building off that success, we're now going to help support reform at the local level with the new district competition,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. “We want to help schools become engines of innovation through personalized learning so that every child in America can receive the world-class public education they deserve. The Race to the Top-District competition will help us meet that goal.”
Race to the Top, launched in 2009, has inspired dramatic education reform nationwide, leading 45 states and the District of Columbia to pursue higher college and career-ready standards, data-driven decision making, greater support for teachers and leaders, and turnaround interventions in low performing schools. The next phase proposes to build on those principles at the classroom level to support bold, locally directed improvements in learning and teaching that will directly improve student achievement and educator effectiveness.
The Race to the Top-District competition invites applicants to demonstrate how they can personalize education for all students and is aimed squarely at classrooms and the all-important relationship between teachers and students. The competition will encourage transformative change within schools, providing school leaders and teachers with key tools and support in order to best meet their students’ needs.
Criteria includes at least 40 percent qualifying for free or reduced lunch
The 2012 final program criteria invites applications from districts or groups of districts proposing to serve at least 2,000 students with 40 percent or more qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Districts will choose to apply for funding to support learning strategies that personalize education in all or a set of schools, within specific grade levels, or select subjects. In addition, a districts must demonstrate a commitment to Race to the Top’s four core reform areas and have signoff on their plan from the district superintendent or CEO, local school board president, and local teacher union or association president in order to be eligible.
Four year awards will range from $5 to $40 million depending on student population
Applicants from all districts are invited to apply. The Department plans to support high-quality proposals from applicants across a variety of districts, including rural and non-rural as well as those already participating in a Race to the Top state grant and districts not participating. These 4-year awards will range from $5 million to $40 million, depending on the population of students served through the plan. The Department is expecting to make 15-25 awards.
Reformation, accelerated student achievement and college preparation gain points
Grantees will be selected based on their vision and capacity for reform as well as a strong plan that provides educators with resources to accelerate student achievement and prepare students for college and their careers. Plans will focus on transforming the learning environment so that it meets all students’ learning abilities, making equity and access to high-quality education a priority. Teachers will receive real-time feedback that helps them adapt to their students’ needs, allowing them to create opportunities for students to pursue areas of personal academic interest – while ensuring that each student is ready for college and their career.
The program also offers competitive preference to applicants that form partnerships with public and private organizations to sustain their work and offer services that help meet students’ academic, social, and emotional needs, as well as enhance their ability to succeed.
The Department is requesting interested districts to submit their intent to apply by Thursday, Aug. 30, and will offer webinars and conference calls over the coming weeks to provide technical assistance. Applications are due Tuesday, Oct. 30, with awards being announced no later than Monday, Dec. 31, 2012.
