MSBO 2009 CONFERENCESEPTEMBER

SECRETARY OF EDUCATION DISCRETIONARY FUNDS

Sally Vaughn Deputy Superintendent, Ph.D.

Michigan Department of Education

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SECRETARY OF EDUCATION DISCRETIONARY FUNDS

An education “moon shot”Dramatic changeWhat works for kids vs. adults$5B in competitive funds Unprecedented funding to reform

education

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TWO PARTS:

1) Race to the Top—State Incentives ($4B) Special Set-Aside for Common Standards

and Assessments—State Consortium ($350)

2) Investing in Innovation—Districts and Nonprofits ($650M)

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RACE TO THE TOP

Draft guidance out in July; final out in October

Two phases of application-Phase I - due late 2009; awarded spring

2010-Phase II – due spring 2010; awarded fall

2010

50% of funds to districts based on Title I formula

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TWO PREREQUISITES:

Approved application for SFSF Phases 1 and 2

No legal barrier against linking student achievement data and teacher/principal effectiveness for evaluation

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CONSIDERATIONS IN PREPARING APPLICATIONS:

State must advance four reform areasState must set goals and annual targets

for each reform areaRTTT will reward states for having

created conditions for reformRTTT will provide incentives to

implement reform that integrates across four reform areas

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FIVE PRIORITIES IN EVALUATION OF RTTT APPLICATIONS

#1 Comprehensive Approach to Four Reform Areas

#2 Emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)

#3 Expansion and Adaptation of Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems

#4 P-20 Coordination and Vertical Alignment

#5 School-Level Conditions for Reform and Innovation

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#1 COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO FOUR REFORM AREAS

Absolute Priority (States MUST)State plan for each reform area and

demonstrate systemic approach to education reform

State plan to:Increase student achievementReduce achievement gap across subgroupsIncrease rates at which students graduate

prepared for college and careers

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#1 FOUR REFORM AREAS (cont)

Four reform areas:

A) Standards and Assessments Data systems to support instruction Great teachers and leaders Turning around struggling schools

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FOUR REFORM AREAS (cont)

A. Standards and Assessments ($350M set-aside)

Develop and adopt common standards—join state consortium

Develop and implement common assessments (phase 2)

Support transition to enhanced standards and assessments

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FOUR REFORM AREAS (cont)

B. Data SystemsFully implement SLDS, including 12

America COMPETES Act componentsState plan to ensure data accessible to

key stakeholders and used to improve instruction

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FOUR REFORM AREAS (cont)

C. Great Teachers and Leaders Alternative pathways for aspiring teachers/principals Differentiating teacher and principal effectiveness

based on performance, using data for decisions for evaluation, professional development, tenure, and dismissal

Equitable distribution of effective teachers and principals in high poverty schools and hard to staff subjects

Reporting effectiveness of teacher and principal preparation programs

Effective support to teachers and principals, including rapid time student data to inform instruction

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FOUR REFORM AREAS (cont)

D. Turning Around Struggling Schools Intervening in lowest performing schools and

districts, including state authority to intervene Increasing supply of high-quality charter

schools, including state restrictions on increasing number, state accountability, and funding for facilities

State plan for lowest-performing 5% of schools, including closing or converting to charter, new leadership/staff, new governance, school flexibility, transformation model

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FIVE PRIORITIES IN EVALUATION OF RTTT APPLICATIONS

#1 Comprehensive Approach to Four Reform Areas

#2 Emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)

#3 Expansion and Adaptation of Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems

#4 P-20 Coordination and Vertical Alignment

#5 School-Level Conditions for Reform and Innovation

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#2 EMPHASIS ON STEM

Competitive Priority (States will receive credit for)

State plan to:1. Offer rigorous course of study in STEM

2. Cooperate with industry experts, museums, universities to prepare and assist teachers in integrating STEM across grades and disciplines

3. Prepare more students for advanced study and careers in STEM, including underrepresented groups

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#3 EXPANSION AND ADAPTATION OF STATEWIDE LONGITUDINAL DATA

SYSTEMS

Invitational Priority (States are invited to)State plan to expand SLDS to integrate

data from special ed, ELL, early childhood, HR, finance, health, postsecondary

Collaboration among states to adapt their systems vs building independently

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#4 P-20 COORDINATION AND VERTICAL ALIGNMENT

Invitational Priority (States are invited to)State plan to address how early

childhood programs, K-12, post-secondary, and workforce organizations will improve education system and create seamless P-20 route

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#5 SCHOOL-LEVEL CONDITIONS FOR REFORM AND INNOVATION

Invitational Priority (States are invited to)Participating districts provide schools

with flexibilities and autonomies conducive to reform and innovation, such as: selecting staff, expanding learning time, budgets under school’s control, credit based on performance vs. instructional time, services to high-needs students

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APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS (8 total)

1. Signed by Governor, State Superintendent, State Board President

2. Description of progress made in four reform areas, including through use of ARRA and other federal funding

3. Financial data showing percentage of total state revenues used education in FY08 and 09

4. Description of support from stakeholders and LEAs/PSAs

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APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS (cont)1. Description participating districts use of

funds to address reform areas.2. Description of use of funds to improve

achievement and graduation rates; close achievement gap; help to high need districts, and overall state plan.

3. Evidence for each state reform conditions criterion.

4. Detailed plans for each reform plan criterion, including activities and rationale, timeline, resources, annual targets for performance measures for four school years.

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PART TWO OF RACE TO THE TOP:

Investing in Innovation—Districts and Nonprofits ($650M)

Referred to as the “i3 Fund” Guidance published in Federal Register in

fall Expect awards in early 2010 Designed for Districts and Nonprofits

(charters, IHEs, turn around companies, subsets/consortia of schools within district)

Corporations cannot apply

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Applications evaluated on three major aspects:

Outcome driven, specifically around 4 assurances

Taken to scale, easy to use and cost effective

Sustainable (expecting additional funds from private/public sources; show financial model and political or support model)

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Three categories:

Pure Innovation Grants (up to $5M) to try interesting ideas

Strategic Innovation Grants (up to $30M) for innovative solutions that need additional research base

What Works Innovation Grants (up to $50M) for proven solutions that can be taken to scale

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Key concepts for applications to consider:

Boost student achievement, graduation, matriculation

Early learningAt riskCreative approach to school day/yearCollege readinessRural as well as urban