(OAKLAND, CA) – Today, Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced the second round Race to the Top winners. California was not on the list of recipients. It is estimated that the state lost $700 million for much-needed education reforms.
“We are deeply disappointed by California’s loss," said Arun Ramanathan, Executive Director of The Education Trust—West, a leading statewide education advocacy organization. "Although our second round showing was much stronger, the early indication is that strong legislative support for teacher effectiveness reforms separated the winners from the losers."
Put in a larger national context, California has 6.2 million students— roughly half of whom qualify for free or reduced lunch. There are more students of color in California schools than most other states have students. If our nation is serious about closing achievement gaps and enhancing our global competitiveness, then California must become a leader in education reform.
“In order to win Race to the Top, our state Legislature should have done more to reform our antiquated and counter-productive teacher evaluation system," continued Ramanathan. "I leave it to the opponents of reform in Sacramento to explain why they left a $700 million check for our schools on the table."
