Fed-generated momentum

There was some good material in yesterday's New York Times about the latest topics of discussion in education reform (Some other work got in the way and prevented me from posting yesterday).

First, the paper reports that the specter of securing Race to the Top grant funds is causing states to reevaluate their laws restricting charter schools and barring the connection of teacher evaluation to student test data. The federal government is making $4.35 billion in stimulus funds available as grants to states and school districts in an effort to spur education reform.

The feds are accepting public comments on the proposed grant criteria until Aug. 28. The discussion is reinforcing charter schools and performance-based pay for teachers as among the hottest topics of talk in the education reform world. While the grant criteria aren't settled, it's possible that states with laws banning performance-based pay and/or charter schools might not even be able to apply.

When it comes to both topics, the prospect of federal grant money has had an impact on policy discussions in Maine.

The Legislature in June passed a bill that explicitly allows performance-based pay in the state. The discussion focused largely on Maine's ability to secure money from a $200 million Teacher Incentive Fund. As a result of the bill, Maine's Department of Education will prepare an application for Teacher Incentive Fund money, enlisting districts interested in experimenting with performance-based pay.

And although the state Legislature in June once again turned down a law that would have allowed charter schools in the state, the debate generated more momentum than it has in the past, due in part to the prospect of federal grant money for those states that favor the independently run charter schools.

Despite Maine's continued prohibition of charter schools, the state expects to submit a Race to the Top application when the grant criteria are in place. The details will become clearer as the application date approaches.