Unclear Mandates & Uncertain Direction for Education Reform

Posted on November 9, 2012 by coreeducation

Yesterday, Andrew Rotherham reflected in TIME magazine on the election results and their meaning for public education reform. From the presidential election to local elections and ballot questions, the picture of public support for education is murky, leaving newly elected politicians with no clear roadmap for reform. Rotherham writes about the meaning of the election Read more about Unclear Mandates & Uncertain Direction for Education Reform[…]

Election Day puts Education in the Spotlight

Posted on November 4, 2012September 12, 2020 by coreeducation

The upcoming election day of November 6, 2012 promises to have a significant impact on education policy around the country. Under the larger discussion of fiscal policy, which has consumed much of the Presidential campaigns of both President Obama and Governor Romney, the issue of education has risen to the fore multiple times. While neither Read more about Election Day puts Education in the Spotlight[…]

2012 Teacher Incentive Fund Grantees Announced

Posted on September 30, 2012February 5, 2013 by coreeducation

The U.S. Department of Education announced Friday 35 grants awarded to improve pay structures, reward great teachers and principals and provide greater professional opportunities to teachers in high poverty schools. Winning applicants comprise districts, partnering districts, states, and nonprofits that together serve nearly 1,000 schools in 150 urban, suburban, and rural school districts in 18 Read more about 2012 Teacher Incentive Fund Grantees Announced[…]

Nearly 900 Districts Intend to Apply for Race to the Top Funding

Posted on September 4, 2012 by coreeducation

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Education announced that 893 potential applicants have submitted their intent to apply for the 2012 Race to the Top-District program, which will provide close to $400 million to support local reforms that will personalize learning, close achievement gaps and prepare each student for college and their careers. The Race Read more about Nearly 900 Districts Intend to Apply for Race to the Top Funding[…]

Georgia Still in Hot Water Over Race to the Top

Posted on August 14, 2012 by coreeducation

The U.S. Department of Education has not been swayed by Georgia’s passionate defense of its teacher-evaluation plans, which are somewhat in conflict with what the state promised to do when it won a coveted Race to the Top grant. In a new letter to the state, the federal department’s Race to the Top implementer-in-chief Ann Read more about Georgia Still in Hot Water Over Race to the Top[…]

Race to the Top – District Proposal Application

Posted on August 12, 2012February 5, 2013 by coreeducation

The Department of Education has released the application materials for the latest round of the Race to the Top (RTT) competition. Geared towards individual school districts, this round will award grants from $5 – $40 million, depending on the size of the school district. From the application: The Race to the Top – District competition Read more about Race to the Top – District Proposal Application[…]

Pre-Applicants Identified for 2012 ‘i3’ Competition

Posted on July 8, 2012March 5, 2014 by coreeducation

Last week, the U.S. Department of Education announced 124 highly-rated Development pre-applicants for the Investing in Innovation (i3) fund, all of which are invited to apply for a share of the nearly $150 million 2012 competition. “Every year, i3 brings in hundreds of applications with groundbreaking ideas on how to accelerate student achievement,” said Assistant Read more about Pre-Applicants Identified for 2012 ‘i3’ Competition[…]

Five More States Get Waivers

Posted on July 3, 2012September 12, 2020 by coreeducation

On June 29, the Department of Education announced that waiver applications from five more states have been approved. Arkansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Utah and Virginia bring the total of waiver-approved states to 24, with 13 states still waiting for a decision. The big surprise for many observers was the approval of Virginia’s waiver. Part of Read more about Five More States Get Waivers[…]

The 2012 Teacher Incentive Fund Grant Competition

Posted on June 14, 2012March 5, 2014 by coreeducation

The U.S. Department of Education announced the final application period for the $285 million Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF) 2012 competition. This round of the competition includes a new focus on supporting district-wide evaluation systems that reward success, offer greater professional opportunities, and drive decision-making on recruitment, development, and retention of effective teachers and principals. The Read more about The 2012 Teacher Incentive Fund Grant Competition[…]

Waivers: Round Two Approvals

Posted on June 6, 2012September 12, 2020 by coreeducation

The Obama administration approved eight additional states for flexibility from key provisions of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) in exchange for state-developed plans to prepare all students for college and career, focus aid on the neediest students, and support effective teaching and leadership. The announcement brings the number of states with waivers to 19. Eighteen Read more about Waivers: Round Two Approvals[…]

District-Level Race to the Top to Focus on the Classroom, Provide Tools to Enhance Learning and Serve the Needs of Every Student

Posted on May 29, 2012February 5, 2013 by coreeducation

The U.S. Department of Education has released proposed criteria for the 2012 Race to the Top program – a nearly $400 million competition that invites school districts to create plans for individualized classroom instruction aimed at closing achievement gaps and preparing each student for college and career. “Today, we’re taking the next step forward. We’re Read more about District-Level Race to the Top to Focus on the Classroom, Provide Tools to Enhance Learning and Serve the Needs of Every Student[…]

States Get Feedback on Waiver Applications

Posted on May 17, 2012September 12, 2020 by coreeducation

The second round of waiver applicants, 26 states plus the District of Columbia, have received feedback from the Department of Education on their requests. Education Week examined 22 of the 27 letters sent to applicants, and found some common areas of concern: Almost every state needs to do a better job of explaining how they Read more about States Get Feedback on Waiver Applications[…]

US Department of Education Releases Draft TIF Regulations

Posted on April 11, 2012 by coreeducation

Districts and states planning to apply for Teacher Incentive Fund Round 4 (TIF4) funding need to take steps to engage teachers and administrators, their Boards of Education, and the public in planning for applications. The TIF 4 draft regulations place emphasis on the core elements of both performance- based compensation and human capital management systems. Read more about US Department of Education Releases Draft TIF Regulations[…]

DOE Announces Applications for Scale-Up and Validation i3 Grants

Posted on April 3, 2012April 6, 2012 by coreeducation

Last week, the U.S. Department of Education released the 2012 notice inviting applications for new “Scale-up” and “Validation” grants available through the Investing in Innovation (i3) fund. “This next round of i3 projects will build on the fund’s growing portfolio of promising education programs that help close achievement gaps, personalize learning, and accelerate student achievement,” Read more about DOE Announces Applications for Scale-Up and Validation i3 Grants[…]

SEED Grant Winners Announced

Posted on March 13, 2012April 25, 2012 by coreeducation

On March 7, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced the award of nearly $24.6 million for three grants to improve student achievement by increasing the effectiveness of teachers and principals. Funded under the Supporting Effective Educators Development (SEED) program, projects are awarded to the National Writing Project, New Teacher Center, and Teach for America. The Read more about SEED Grant Winners Announced[…]

More States Apply for Waivers

Posted on March 4, 2012April 25, 2012 by coreeducation

Twenty six more states plus DC have applied for waivers to free them from many NCLB requirements. If the new applicants are approved, only 13 states will still be operating under the full law (11 states have already received waivers—you can read the story here). In exchange for waivers, the states have to agree to Read more about More States Apply for Waivers[…]