$400M in Federal school funding available
On Thursday Michigan Messenger reported on U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan's announcement of new federal funding for schools, for which Michigan could qualify for as much as $400 million.
But to be eligible for these funds, part of the new Race to the Top funding initiative, states must meet four areas for innovation, which include:
- Tying teacher performance ratings to student outcomes
- Expansion of high quality, high performance charter schools
- Turning around failing schools
- Alternative teacher certification
Michigan would have to change its education laws to comply with these and be eligible for the money. One law prevents schools from tying teacher performance reviews with student performance. Another prevents districts from allowing uncertified teachers from entering the classroom to teach and mandates certification through a university and the state licensing board.
$400 million is a lot of money. Should Michigan change its laws to be eligible for crucial Federal funding, or is accepting new performance rules and alternative certification too much?
(image from Wikimedia Commons)
- Array
