Editorial: State must compete in Race to the Top

Last week's forecast that more billion-dollar budget deficits are on the horizon in Minnesota doesn't bode well for any institution that relies on state aid. And though state lawmakers protected the $12 billion-plus K-12 education budget from deep cuts this year, that probably won't happen in 2010.

With budgets under pressure, Minnesota education administrators, teachers unions and their partners should put aside their differences and do what it takes to win a share of federal stimulus money earmarked for education reform as part of the Race to the Top program. Federal help under the program could be the only new money available for our public schools in the near future.

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Obama administration allocated about $4.5 billion to be split by 10 to 15 states. Applications for the competitive Race to the Top grants are due in mid-January.

Minnesota is well-positioned to receive the funds based on efforts that are already underway. Last fall, the Department of Education held a series of public meetings to gather input and produced a draft application based on those meetings. Now officials are taking the document to local districts and other education stakeholders for revisions.

To receive the grants, states must demonstrate that they have improved student achievement in the past and have innovative reform plans in six areas, including standards and assessment, data-supported instruction, effective teaching, and turning around struggling schools. States must also show that they can deliver educational services differently and more effectively.

A recent grant announcement from the Bush Foundation should boost the state's chances. The local nonprofit will spend $40 million over the next few years to help overhaul the way education students are trained at 14 Minnesota universities. The funds will be used to attract the best and brightest students to teaching and then equip them to improve student achievement.

In addition, Minnesota set high academic standards and is beginning to use student assessment data more effectively. Minnesota's charter schools and the Q Comp alternative teacher pay plan, which ties compensation to student achievement, should also give the state bonus points on the application.

As a Race to the Top state, Minnesota could receive an estimated $175 million. But equally important are the criteria for awarding those dollars. The larger goal is to drive innovation and change because it's clear that spending more money on the same old methods won't improve educational outcomes.

Though Minnesota is a good candidate, receiving a grant is not a slam dunk. Nearly 30 states are considered competitive or somewhat competitive. Some have legislatively removed caps on charter schools or adopted pay-for-performance plans specifically to meet grant application criteria. Minnesota needs to do a better job of creating alternative pathways to teaching and be less restrictive about allowing proven methods such as the longer school hours approaches in KIPP schools to be used in the state.

In some states, resistance to reforms from special interest groups has hampered the application process. Minnesotans should expect better from their educators, legislators and teachers. We urge stakeholders in education to set aside partisanship and turf battles and work together on a grant proposal that is best for kids.