“Race to the Top” is really the race to reform California’s education system

Getty Images
Download
Nov. 3, 2009

There are 500 million reasons for California to race toward some fairly sweeping education reforms, and ready-or-not the state legislature is ready to pull the trigger. The special legislative session to change California’s education system, to make the state eligible for $500 million in federal stimulus dollars aimed at education program, starts this week and possible reforms include open school district enrollment, performance pay for teachers and easier creation of charter schools. Is this the right way to go about reform?

Also on this episode

Guests:

Sen. Gloria Romero, (D-24th District; East Los Angeles); Chair of the Senate Education Committee & author of SB X51, the reforms for California to be eligible for federal Race to the Top grants

Glen Thomas, California Secretary of Education

David Sanchez, president of the California Teachers Association

Eric
2 weeks, 3 days ago

I didn't catch the entire program/discussion but all i hear was about the budget, the stimulus dollars, teacher's job, etc. I feel we are becoming a nation that just throw money at the problems and believe money will fix everything.
i grew up in a country (Taiwan) that large class is a norm (60-70 children/class) with relatively small budget comparing to our system, yet year after year Taiwan students consistantly rank top of the world. have our educators ever look at the problem we face differently? could it be not because the short of funding? what have we learn from the countries that their school kids achieve high academically? how do they motivate their kids to learn and thrive?
Sincerely,
Eric

Dr. Lisa Winstead
1 week, 4 days ago

It is exciting to see Gloria Romero's rise to the top and her interest in gaining federal funds and closing the achievement gap. I do have a concern for teachers; however. It appears that the new federal stimulus package is geared toward tying teacher evaluations to student scores. This may only entrench already existing inequities that exist in schools. Those in poorer schools with immigrant children may find it more difficult to get their scores higher. So, they could be punished in their evaluations despite their efforts to help raise these children's scores. I hope that this is not the case and there is an equitable format in which teachers are rewarded for improving grades but not punished because they are unable to meet AYP or API unlike their wealthier counterparts.

Comments disabled after 14 days