Here's a list of supporters: Race to the Top Supporters. Note that no teachers' associations have supported the grant.

To read the “elements” of the state’s reform plan proposed to win a Race to the Top grant, go here and click on “Race to the Top MOU package.” Note that this is the FLDOE Web site.

To read FEA President Andy Ford's take on RTTT in an open letter to FEA members, click here.

Read the blog and post a comment on orlandosentinel.com.
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_educ...ses-a-list.html

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Race to the Top supporters – DOE releases a list

We reported this morning, that Education Commissioner Eric Smith views the next few days as “crunch time” in his effort to encourage Florida’s school districts to sign onto the state’s Race to the Top grant proposal.

He thinks the state, and local school districts, must seek the grant money (which could be up to $900 million for Florida) if they are to continue with “big deal” reform efforts — especially because the coming year will likely be the third straight of state budget cuts.

As we’ve reported previously, teachers unions are objecting, worried that, among other things, the state’s Race to the Top plan would upend current teacher pay plans in favor of a new system that ties compensation to student achievement on standardized tests.

Today, Smith announced that the Florida PTA had sent DOE a letter of support, and he released a list of other supporters for the state’s application.

“This letter, along with numerous others sent in by business leaders, universities and state colleges, children’s support organizations and other education stakeholders, sends a clear message that our state is ready to accelerate its efforts to bring a high quality education to every one of our students.” ...