NEW: RI Has Spent $1M from Race to the Top So Far
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Rhode Island has made progress in using federal Race to the Top funds to reform public education, state leaders announced today, in an event that marked the one-year anniversary of the state receiving the grant award.
The Ocean State was one of just 11 states to win the competitive grant. So far the state has spent just a tenth of the grant award towards these efforts.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“My commitment to public education was reflected in my fiscal year 2012 budget, which fully funded the formula for K-12 education and proposed 10 million additional dollars for higher education,” Governor Lincoln Chafee said. “I look forward to working with Commissioner Gist and the Board of Regents to continue putting Race to the Top funds to use improving public education in Rhode Island.”
“At a time when Rhode Island and many other states across our country are experiencing economic difficulties, there are some beacons of light and the collaborative energy in Rhode Island surrounding Race to the Top is one of them,” added Congressman David Cicilline.
Chafee and Cicilline were joined in the press conference by State Education Commissioner Deborah Gist, Board of Regents Chairman George Caruolo, House Speaker Gordon Fox, and Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed.
How has the money been used?
So far Race to the Top funds have been used for the following, according to a Rhode Island Department of Education news release:
■ Collaboration between RIDE and every school district to prepare budgets and four-year plans for use of Race to the Top funds;
■ Training nearly 2,500 teachers from 19 school districts to prepare them to use the new Common Core State Standards; and
■ Training nearly 600 educators and 85 principals to prepare them to implement the new educator-evaluation system across the state.
Next year the money will go towards:
■ Launching teacher-induction programs to support Rhode Island beginning teachers;
■ Beginning intensive curriculum work in English and mathematics in 11 school districts;
■ Implementing annual evaluations of every teacher and principal; and
■ Developing new opportunities for students to use technology to engage in virtual learning.
So far, $1.6 million has been spent to date. Projected spending by September 30 will be $3.5 million, according to RIDE.
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