Fundamental Change: Innovation in America's Schools Under Race to the Top

N

76

EDESE12C0067

Federal Aid; Educational Legislation; Federal Legislation; Federal Programs; Geographic Location; Administrator Role; Cooperation; State Departments of Education; Goal Orientation; Compliance (Legal); Educational Assessment; State Government; Educational Improvement; College Readiness; Career Readiness; Academic Standards; Teaching Methods; Teacher Competencies; Leadership Qualities; Data Collection; Low Achievement; School Turnaround; Graduation Rate; Program Effectiveness; College Attendance; Enrollment Trends; Cooperative Planning; Advanced Placement Programs

Race to the Top's success ultimately must be measured by its long-term impact on student learning. Because simultaneous change in multiple systems takes time, it is too early to make that determination of success now. However, it is not too early to learn from the positive achievements of and challenges faced by Race to the Top states. This report focuses on some of the accomplishments of Race to the Top states and highlights examples of key practices and lessons learned during implementation. The content of this report draws upon information provided through a new performance management approach implemented with Race to the Top states that included monthly calls between state education leaders and staff at the Department of Education, online data displays, annual on-site performance reviews, and annual progress reports detailing the Department's assessment of each state's performance. Race to the Top states shared their reflections on progress and lessons learned through narrative submissions at the end of the four-year grant period. The interactions between state education leaders and Department staff focused on state progress toward meeting the targets and goals established in each state's plan, in addition to traditional compliance reviews. The approach required states to continuously evaluate the results of their efforts to improve teaching and learning and consider if they needed to adjust strategies to achieve their desired outcomes. In addition, the approach allowed the Department, grantees, and the public to follow grantee progress in implementing comprehensive education plans and meeting ambitious goals to improve teaching and learning. Alongside the performance management approach, the Department worked with the Reform Support Network (RSN) to provide states with results-oriented, differentiated, and responsive technical assistance driven by state needs and, in part, by the annual review process. Links to select RSN publications are included in this report to highlight Race to the Top state experiences that may be helpful for all states in their efforts to improve instruction and educational opportunities for all students. [For the Executive Summary, see ED577009.]

ERIC

2015

ED577007