Now that NY has won the 2nd round of federal Race to the Top funding, the real challenge begins. If you thought applying for the money was hard, just wait until the battles begin over how to spend it.
Some of the Race to the Top money will help create the tools the State can use to track student performance. But what do you with the data once it's been collected?
Teachers unions are concerned that the data might be used to fire teachers. Currently, teachers are evaluated through a process called the Annual Professional Performance Review which takes place at the local level at the same time contracts are negotiated.
Is it fair that teachers are evaluated by how well a student does in school when he might have an issue going on at home? Teachers are only one of the groups that have input.
Ideally, they would like renewable contracts every 5 years with tenure granted in 5 instead of 3 yrs.
About half the money will go to state education. The other half will be doled out to districts around the state on the basis of need.
