One of the key reasons that Massachusetts lost out in Round 1 of the Race to the Top (RTTT) contest for federal K-12 education funds, was that only 60 percent of Bay State school districts supported a plan to improve the performance of the public schools.
(To see if your district signed on, visit the "Resources" section document tab at www.mbae.org.)
The two winning states submitted applications supported by 100 percent of their school districts.
Now local districts have a second chance to participate by signing the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
That requires three signatories — the superintendent, the school committee and the teachers union.
The MOU takes effect only if RTTT funds are awarded. Districts that do not sign on by the May 14 deadline cannot opt in later.
Unfortunately the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, one of the two statewide teachers unions, has now urged its affiliates not to sign on to the MOUs and, worse, to withdraw their commitments from Round 1.
This is a particularly regrettable development as AFT Massachusetts represents teachers in many of the urban districts including Boston, Lawrence, Salem, Lynn, and Lowell that could benefit most from participation.
It's not that these teachers don't care about the success of their students and their schools. We believe that this decision represents a conventional union defense of the status quo in response to specific, immediate concerns, at a time when we have a unique opportunity to change schools for the better.
In fact, one of the most "threatening" aspects of RTTT — use of performance measures as a component of teacher evaluation — has been endorsed in principle by the national AFT; while the Massachusetts branch has joined with the Massachusetts Teachers Association, other educator groups, and business organizations to support comprehensive reform legislation that would implement such evaluation and enhance the professional stature of teachers.
The financial stakes are significant — $250 million for Massachusetts, with at least half going directly to qualifying districts. From an employer perspective, the goals of RTTT and the MOU are those that matter most to Massachusetts schools and students. These include efforts to:
Improve teacher and principal effectiveness based on performance;
Ensure effective teachers and leaders in every school and classroom;
Use data to improve instruction; and
Turn around the lowest-achieving schools.
Participating districts are also encouraged to join in a statewide P-12 Teaching and Learning System, and to partner with the state to develop and implement new programs, supports and incentives to improve students' preparation for college and careers.
The future of our commonwealth, our communities and our children depends upon the ability of our schools to provide a world-class education to all students. Massachusetts has some of the best schools anywhere, but the competition — national and global — is not standing still.
Participation in Race to the Top will help keep our state, and every school district, at the forefront of educational excellence.
• • •
Richard Lord is president and CEO of Associated Industries of Massachusetts. Linda Noonan is executive director of the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education.
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