St. Tammany vote against Race to the Top hinges on policy requirements

The Times-Picayune ^ | January 06, 2010 | Jim Derry

[BBell]

From the start of a nearly three-hour debate on the state's push for including St. Tammany Parish in the new federal Race to the Top program, it was evident the overwhelming majority of School Board members were leery about getting involved.

The Obama administration unveiled Race to the Top last summer as a $4.35 billion education reform program aimed at getting schools to better track students' progress.

In Covington late Tuesday, the St. Tammany School Board's final tally against particpating was 9-6, but even most of those who voted for board President John Lamarque to sign the partnership agreement did so with hesitation.

A recurring theme against the plan was that there simply were too many questions the state couldn't answer, such as how many mandates might be placed upon the school district, the possibility of reassigning teachers and the amount of money the school system may or may not receive.

The vote came despite the endorsement of Superintendent Gayle Sloan, who sent a letter to the Louisiana Department of Education last month indicating the parish intended to be included in the program if the state were to be awarded a share of the grant, which key officials inside the department say is likely.

State Superintendent Paul Pastorek said Wednesday, "The loss of one individual district will not impact the state's chances of securing the R2T grant," and despite the decision by Louisiana's fourth-largest school district to opt out, "those who are enthusiastic about the opportunity will not likely be swayed by the decisions of another district. ... We are optimistic districts will make their own decisions, based on the individual circumstances of their districts."

As of early Wednesday evening, only five of the 59 school districts that originally declared their intent to participate have voted. The other four -- Jefferson, Ascension, East

[BBell]

"Districts wishing to participate must turn signed agreements in to the state by Monday to be eligible for grant money. According to Louisiana Assistant Superintendent of Education Donna Nola-Ganey, 50 percent of the state's students must be included for state to be eligible to participate in the program."

St. Tammany borders Orleans on the North but ranks above the National average for student scores and near the top for Louisiana parishes.

I guess they don't need the Federal and State governments telling them how to run their schools. I agree with the School boards decision.

[Impy]

Sounds like a stupid program that will just waste money and not help schools at all.

[RWGinger]

This program has so many strings attached the string trail could reach the moon.
Plus it is onerous in forms. The SecEd estimated it would take 681 hours just to fill out the initial paperwork. Schools districts who have filled it out say it is closer to 1000 hours.

Good for that La school district