Senator Suzi Oppenheimer Speaks Out on the Race to the Top

Now that the initial excitement over New York’s victory in the federal Race to the Top (RTTT) competition has subsided, school districts throughout the state are wondering how, and to what extent, their students will benefit from RTTT. There is a misconception that Race to the Top is a federal aid program, much like other school aid programs, where monies are simply distributed to particular school districts. That is not the case. RTTT is an incentive program designed to further innovations that will improve the quality of instruction for all students. The legislation I sponsored that was key to our RTTT win puts in place sweeping education reforms that will accomplish that goal.  

Scarsdale is well known for its excellent school system. The reason that our Race to the Top (RTTT) victory was so exciting is that now under-performing schools throughout New York will be able to implement the kinds of educational innovations that have long been a hallmark of high performing districts. There is no doubt that the success of Scarsdale and similar school districts will be examined and emulated as these reforms are implemented.  

Closing the achievement gap among all our students is critical to New York’s long-term economic prosperity. Indeed, a key objective of the reforms I sponsored was ensuring that each and every student who graduates from any public high school in our State be fully prepared for post-secondary education or productive employment. The Scarsdale Board of Education clearly understood the importance of this goal when it voted to support the State’s Race to the Top application.  

It would be wrong to assume, however, that the RTTT reforms serve no benefit in high performing school districts like Scarsdale. First, in even the best learning environments there is always room for improvement. The recent recalibration of state assessments revealed that even in Scarsdale there are students who struggle and who would benefit from the innovative teaching strategies that RTTT is intended to foster. More importantly, while some have criticized the scope of federally imposed testing that began under No Child Left Behind, RTTT funds will be used here in New York to create better and more performance-based assessments that will help school districts identify early-on whether students are on track to succeed in college or careers. While the state core curriculum standards provide a baseline for what students in the state need to know and demonstrate, Scarsdale has and can continue to build upon those requirements.  

Second, the longitudinal data system that will be built with RTTT funds will – for the first time – track individual student performance from preschool through college. This data will allow us to measure whether our brightest students are being sufficiently challenged at all levels of their schooling, a necessary outcome if they are to develop to their full intellectual potential. Teachers and principals can be trained on how to interpret this data to improve instruction.  

Third, the reforms I sponsored create a comprehensive evaluation system for teachers and principals that is based, in part, on student performance. Educators who are rated “developing” or “ineffective” can receive professional support to improve their performance. The objective of the evaluation process is not to penalize underperforming teachers, but rather to provide them with the tools they need to succeed.  

Sadly, despite the best intervention it is not always possible for every educator to achieve the level of proficiency expected in the community. When, in those cases, it becomes necessary to consider termination of a tenured teacher or principal, the reforms provide for an expedited 60-day hearing process for educators who demonstrate a pattern of ineffective teaching or performance. In the past, the length and expense of the hearing process made it almost prohibitive for school districts to take such action.  

Finally, approximately half of the RTTT monies will go to fund statewide educational initiatives, such as the longitudinal data system, that will bring innovation and improve the quality of instruction for all New York students. In addition, State Department of Education plans to use a portion of the award (about $126 million) to issue competitive RFPs. I look forward to seeing the kinds of initiatives or projects that districts like Scarsdale may submit for funding under these RFPs.  

The Race to the Top reforms, in short, chart a new course for public education in the 21st century – one that will not only improve failing schools, but will also spur innovation, improve educational outcomes and further our commitment of a quality education for all students."