Where are Race to the Top Dollars Headed?
The Delaware Department of Education recently approved all 19 districts’ Race to the Top plans, which reveal their priorities and stipulate how they will use their funds to increase performance in these areas.
An initial analysis of the plans yields a couple data points, including:
- The average Delaware district will use 43.7% of their funds to transition to the new Common Core standards and provide students increased access to more rigorous coursework;
- On average, districts will utilize 27.9% of their funds to increase the effectiveness of their teachers and leaders through increased access to professional development, highly effective educator preparation routes, alternate career paths, etc.;
- The average district will use 10.1% of their funds to help turnaround efforts at their persistently low-performing campuses; and
- A significant portion of funds (7.4%, on average/district) will help districts manage implementation efforts, usually through one (or multiple) project managers.
Each districts’ approach is unique and represents their best thinking on how they can meet the needs of the students they serve. Sample initiatives include establishing an International Baccalaureate program at a high school, building community partnerships to provide students with project-based learning opportunities, or provide students access to online coursework in order to better prepare them for college and/or career.
We look forward to digging into the plans further, highlighting the bold work that will be underway throughout the state, and working with all interested stakeholders to ensure that these are implemented with fidelity in order to meet the state’s ambitious goals outlined in our winning application.
Related Topics: Common Core, DDOE, Districts’ RttT Plans, Education Technology, professional development, Teacher Effectiveness, teacher pathways