The Kids Stole My Brain Cells

Information From "Missouri Sovereignty Project"

Race to the Top (RT3) is a $4.3 billion dollar grant initiative being offered to states in exchange for a massive overhaul of our public education system.  As state budgets are strapped due to the economic crisis, many districts are scrambling to figure out how they are going to fund all of their programs for the next school year.   Missouri (my home state) has submitted a grant proposal to compete for a piece of the pie.  This grant is a one-time award spread out over a four year period.

For Missouri, only half of the award money will actually flow to the schools.  The other half goes to the state.  If awarded the grant, Missouri will be required to scrap our current standards and implement standards that are currently under construction by a consortium of 29 states.

(See US Dept of Education and Missouri's RTT app)

Texas Governor Rick Perry has refused to sign his state’s grant intention for fear of what could possibly lead to a federal takeover of Texas schools.

I agree with the following concerns regarding this initiative being offered to states: 

• It can eliminate local control over content and parental involvement,
• It silences parental objections over content being taught,
• It abolishes current local standards,
• It potentially adopts national standards,
• It potentially forces nationalized textbooks not chosen by districts, and
• It absorbs crushing state debt when initial funds are gone.

States competing have already introduced and passed legislation - without going to the citizens of their state - in order to satisfy the NEA's "rules" for competing. 

I have sent questions to my State Representative of Missouri, since the Governor elected to compete in RT3:

• What was the total State cost for time spent/resources for completion of the application?  
• According to the Federal FAQ, “"States will pay for travel expenses to technical assistance workshops out of their Race to the Top grants.”  What was the cost to the State for the trip(s)?  
• How are the costs recouped?   With what monies did the State pay for the costs incurred?
• What, if any, state/local laws/legislation were changed in order to boosting Missouri’s chances in the federal grant competition?
• What districts did not send in a "Memorandum of Understanding?"  I have read States have encouraged districts to "sign-up," and may opt-out after the comeptition is over.  To me, that does not seem ethical.

The majority of the current adminstration, as well as parents across the nation, have criticized the "No Child Left Behind Program" as it bound many schools to unreasonable standards, and removed control from the State.  Teachers began to "teach to pass the test," rather to ensure understanding of the material. 

With RT3, the administration has done an about face in which it serves only to expound on that failed program.

Please see "Indoctrination Disguised As Education Reform" for another OpEd that illustrates that RT3 will be a failure for our schools.

-KSMBC

 UPDATE 3/3/10:

Missouri was knocked out of the first round of RT3 - which would be good news but they are applying again! (irony - IL is finalist)

Missouri will try again for Race to the Top money; Illinois a finalist in first round