Minnesota
Minnesota's Race to the Top - Minnesota Department of Education.
Race to the Top Resources - Our mission will be influenced, hopefully to the better, by how education stimulus funds are allotted in Minnesota, Minnesota Minority Education Partnership.
U.S. Department of Education
 Race to the Top
Race to the Top Resources
States' Applications, Scores and Comments
Critiques
April 20, 2010 - Let's Do the Numbers - The Race to the Top 500-point rating system presents a patina of scientific objectivity, Economic Policy Institute.
# # #
May 17, 2010 - The Teachers’ Unions’ Last Stand - A Manhattan-based school-reform group called New Leaders for New Schools, sits informally at the center of a network of self-styled reformers dedicated to overhauling public education in the United States, New York Times.
April 22, 2010 - Resuscitating Race to the Top bid - Minnesota tripped in the first leg of Race to the Top, a competitive federal education grant, but now policy makers are dusting themselves off and preparing for a second bid, Session Weekly.
April 20, 2010 - Renewed Race to the Top application takes shape - At an informal joint House and Senate education committee meeting, lawmakers and education advocates fleshed out a renewed Race to the Top application, Session Daily.
April 20, 2010 - Standing By as State’s Education Infrastructure Crumbles - As the Governor prepares for round two of Race to the Top, we are witnessing the crumbling of Minnesota's education infrastructure, Minnesota 2020.
April 20, 2010 - Enough Distractions; Raise MN Schools Investment by a Billion Bucks Now - Yesterday, Governor Tim Pawlenty repackaged his collection of divisive educational policy distractions as a single divisive educational policy distraction, calling on the Minnesota State Legislature to pass it into law. Without it, he announced, Minnesota would surely fail to receive federal “Race to the Top” funds while also bashing the teachers’ union for good measure, Minnesota 2020.
April 20, 2010 - Minnesota lawmakers take another lap in education race - A federal pot of money provoking education law changes around the country is driving a vigorous debate in Minnesota, too, Pioneer Press.
April 20, 2010 - Education officials, lawmakers, promise to work together on education reform - Key state lawmakers and teachers union leaders are pledging to work together on a second application for a federal "Race to the Top" education grant, Minnesota Public Radio.
April 19, 2010 - Pawlenty proposes education bill - Bill includes oft-discussed reforms, Pioneer Press.
April 19, 2010 - Pawlenty dusts off teacher pay, tenure proposals - Gov. Tim Pawlenty has boiled down his proposals for education reform into seven initiatives, most dealing with the way teachers are evaluated and paid, Minnesota Public Radio.
April 19, 2010 - Pawlenty to unveil education reform bill - Gov. Tim Pawlenty is holding a press conference Monday to unveil his comprehensive education reform bill, Minnesota Public Radio.
April 17, 2010 - Tom Dooher: Education Minnesota wants role in Race to the Top - As Minnesota considers how to improve education in our state, it's important to distinguish between meaningful reform that helps and harmful reform that sets us back, Star Tribune.
April 16, 2010 - Senate Video - During their separate weekly press conferences, legislative leaders talk about education reform efforts needed to secure federal grant money under the "Race to the Top" program. Flash Media format 00:35:07, Minnesota Senate Media Services.
April 15, 2010 - Race to Top with good teaching - Out of 500 points, we scored a 375, ranking 20th of the 40 applicants. Iowa came in 24th with 346 points; Wisconsin 26th, with 341.2; and South Dakota last with 135.8, St. Cloud Times.
April 13, 2010 - Education Reform - Legislative leaders met with Gov. Tim Pawlenty to discuss education reform and another Race To The Top application, TPT.
April 13, 2010 - Second Race to the Top grant application at the starting line - During a press conference, after meeting with Gov. Tim Pawlenty, House and Senate leaders said they hope to build consensus with the governor and the teachers union, whose support is critical on legislation that would help meet the federal Race to the Top grant application’s criteria, Session Daily.
April 12, 2010 - Teachers union, DFLers feud over pensions, licenses - Failed Race to the Top application was flashpoint. "I think I just kissed my endorsement goodbye," said a DFLer, Star Tribune.
April 9, 2010 - Federal reviewers: Minn. 'Race to the Top' application illegible, missing information - Many reasons contributed to Minnesota's failure to win $330 million in federal education money, according to recent comments released by the U.S. Department of Education. They include a lack of support from teachers' unions and an inability to close the state's achievement gap, Minnesota Public Radio.
April 9, 2010 - MN Race to the Top Application: A Snapshot of Conservative Ed Policy - Anti-government conservatives don’t make very good government administrators. Putting the people who wish to see government fail in charge of a government produces a predictable outcome. The Minnesota “Race to the Top” federal educational grant application rejection debacle proves, once again, what happens with anti-public education conservatives running Minnesota’s state educational infrastructure, Minnesota 2020.
April 8, 2010 - Pawlenty, in Rochester, calls on Legislature to 'Race' - Gov. Tim Pawlenty is calling for the state Legislature to pass several education reforms in hopes of improving Minnesota's odds in competing for federal funds linked to the Race to the Top program, Rochester Post-Bulletin.
April 8, 2010 - Pawlenty lays out what's needed for Race to Top - The governor said all of his key education proposals must be enacted for the state to compete in the next round for federal aid, Star Tribune.
April 8, 2010 - Race to the Top differences remain - The same day Gov. Tim Pawlenty reiterated his call for key education reforms, House K-12 Education Finance Chairwoman Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL-Roseville) urged the governor to stop “bashing” the teachers union, Education Minnesota, for the state’s unsuccessful first application for its share of $4.35 billion in federal Race to the Top funds, Session Daily.
April 7, 2010 - Pawlenty’s Education Blame Game - Yesterday morning, Governor Pawlenty and his Education Commissioner, Alice Seagrean, shifted even more blame on anyone but themselves for failing to pull down federal “Race to the Top” money. They also neatly side-stepped their role in expanding Minnesota’s educational crisis, Minnesota 2020.
April 7, 2010 - Governor may hold out on refiling for Race to the Top funds - The Pawlenty Administration may not file again for federal Race to the Top funding unless lawmakers this session pass education reforms, ECM Post Review.
April 7, 2010 - At the Capitol with Charlie - Autopsy on Race to the Top Grant, Minnesota Association of School Administrators.
April 6, 2010 - Minnesota's Race to Top funding efforts are missing at least one key ingredient: enough political good will - It would be easy to write off Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proclamation this morning that he isn't sure Minnesota should submit a second application for federal Race to the Top funding as political grandstanding, MinnPost.
April 6, 2010 - Pawlenty: Education reforms needed to win Race to the Top - Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Minnesota will only submit a second application for Race to the Top dollars if state legislators enact new education laws, Pioneer Press.
April 6, 2010 - Gov Pawlenty Backs Obama Education Plan - Threatens To Not Apply For Federal Education Funds - Governor Tim Pawlenty talks about why Minnesota didn't get federal "Race To The Top" funding, The UpTake.
April 6, 2010 - Pawlenty: Future Race to the Top funding bid hinges on reform - First Race to Top application failed, Pioneer Press.
April 5, 2010 - Teachers Must Be On Board for Education Plan to Succeed - In announcing his recent education overhaul, President Obama is making an attempt to whack away at No Child Left Behind's kudzu-like strangulation of America's education system. In Minnesota alone, half of all schools have been found deficient under NCLB and face sanctions of various severity, Minnesota 2020.
April 4, 2010 - States Skeptical About ‘Race to Top’ School Aid Contest - Many states are questioning the criteria by which winners were chosen, wondering why there were only two that won and criticizing a last-minute cap on future awards, New York Times.
March 31, 2010 - Don't give up on education funds - Minnesotans can improve Race to Top application, Star Tribune.
March 31, 2010 - School District Suffers in Face of Inadequate Funding - While Minnesota's education leaders tut-tut and point fingers about the failure to win Race to the Top grant money, the inexorable deterioration of our state's education system continues, Minnesota 2020.
March 30, 2010 - State's losing bid for federal education grant dissected - Administration, teachers still at odds approaching 'Race to the Top' round 2, Pioneer Press.
March 30, 2010 - Minnesota gets more details on failed bid for 'Race' money - Minnesota education officials learned more details Monday about why they lost out in a competition for money called "Race to the Top," Minnesota Public Radio.
March 29, 2010 - Tennessee and Delaware Win the First Round of Race to the Top, The White House Blog.
March 29, 2010 - Why Minnesota lost Race to the Top - Federal reviewers questioned the state's vision and political will to do what's needed to improve schools, Star Tribune.
March 23, 2010 - Minnesota's Race to the Top Scorecard - See how Minnesota's application fared, U.S. Department of Education.
March 18, 2010 - Omnibus policy bill goes forward - Minnesota’s round two attempt at a successful Race to the Top application for federal grant money could be strengthened with approval of an omnibus education policy bill March 11. It would expand alternative teacher licensure and strengthen teacher preparation, Session Weekly.
March 16, 2010 - Education Minnesota launches counter-offensive to charges that union cost state Race to the Top funds - Faced with accusations that its opposition cost Minnesota millions of dollars in education stimulus money, the state's largest teachers union today launched a counter-offensive, calling on Gov. Tim Pawlenty to start working on a revised application for federal Race to the Top funding, MinnPost.
March 16, 2010 - Battle begins over Minnesota's application for second round of 'Race to the Top' funding - Minnesota's teachers union is urging state officials to apply again for federal money under the "Race to the Top" initiative, Minnesota Public Radio.
March 15, 2010 - Tom Dooher: The teachers union is not an obstacle - Ideas and alternatives are welcomed -- if they'll be beneficial to students, Star Tribune.
March 4, 2010 - Minnesota denied 'Race to the Top' funding - Feds' decision leaves officials, educators pointing fingers, Pioneer Press.
March 4, 2010 - Schools miss out on federal windfall - Minnesota learned it was not one of the finalists for stimulus funds in a contest called "Race to the Top," Star Tribune.
March 4, 2010 - Minn. won't get 'Race to Top' funding in 1st round - Minnesota schools are out of the running - at least for now - for a slice of the $4.35 billion "Race to the Top" grants after the state's application didn't advance past the first round, KSTP 5.
March 4, 2010 - 16 Race to the Top Finalists Announced - Minnesota not among them, U.S. Department of Education.
February 25, 2010 - Race to the Top proposals critiqued - Education Commissioner Alice Seagren told the House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight Committee Feb. 23 that the attorney general has certified that the state’s Race to the Top application for $330 million in federal grants is not in conflict with Minnesota laws; but some lawmakers and advocates have a different reading, Session Weekly.
February 23, 2010 - Education application clarification - Education Commissioner Alice Seagren told the House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight Committee that the attorney general has certified that the state’s Race to the Top application for $330 million in federal grants is not in conflict with state law, but some lawmakers have a different reading, Session Daily.
February 12, 2010 - Federal Race to the Top Grant - Minnesota’s application includes proposals for a number of policy changes in the K-12 education system, Minnesota House Research.
February 11, 2010 - ‘Sprint for the Money’ - It’s a rare day when conservative advocacy group EdWatch and Education Minnesota, the state teachers’ union, see eye to eye, but on Feb. 9 representatives of each organization shared similar concerns about the state’s application for federal Race to the Top funds with the House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight Committee, Session Weekly.
February 9, 2010 - Race to the Top: For Minnesota, figuring out new federal education plan is far from elementary - It might be easier for everyone concerned if Minnesota employed Sherlock Holmes to decipher the clues contained in the federal Race to the Top funding rubric. He'd sift through the Department of Education's guidelines and tell everyone how "elementary" the criterion of "Ensuring equitable distribution of effective teachers and principals" was, MinnPost.
February 8, 2010 - Schools Left Behind in Race to the Top - Minnesota's schools are financially starved, but while President Obama offers billions of dollars through his Race to the Top initiative, they balk because Gov. Tim Pawlenty has linked the federal money to participation in his controversial Q Comp program. This means thousands of Minnesota students, like those in districts such as Alexandria and Dassel-Cokato, may be left out of the chance for the extra federal money, Minnesota 2020.
February 2, 2010 - Obama Looks To Overhaul 'No Child Left Behind' (Audio) - The Bush Administration's No Child Left Behind Act ushered in sweeping changes to America's education system, but many argue it emphasizes testing over learning. NPR's Larry Abramson and Claudio Sanchez explain Obama's proposed education overhaul and assess his new Race to the Top initiative, NPR.
January 26, 2010 - A key first step in Race to the Top - Mostly unified application process bodes well for Minnesota, Star Tribune.
January 21, 2010 - Many school groups gather at starting line for Race to the Top, but loophole lets unhappy ones drop out - Earlier this week when the Minnesota Department of Education announced its application for a slice of the $4.3 billion in stimulus funding dedicated to education grants, Commissioner Alice Seagren portrayed support for the state's bid as overwhelming," MinnPost.
January 20, 2010 - State beats the clock in bid for federal education funds - Minnesota has asked for $330 million in federal stimulus money to be spread over four years, aimed at improving teaching and data collection to aid student performance, Star Tribune.
January 20, 2010 - Hundreds of MN schools vie for "Race to the Top" money - Three-hundred school districts and more than 100 charter schools across Minnesota have signed on to a bid by the state to win federal stimulus dollars, Minnesota Public Radio.
January 20, 2010 - 300 Minn. school districts back federal aid plan - State education officials said Wednesday that 300 school districts endorsed a teacher pay approach that bases raises partly on student performance, something they'd be willing to try if the state lands $330 million in federal aid, Star Tribune.
January 20, 2010 - All But 10 States Throw Hats Into Race to Top Ring - Forty states and the District of Columbia applied for the first round of $4 billion in the Race to the Top Fund competition, which pits states against each other for desperately needed money, bragging rights, and leverage to implement controversial education reforms such as merit pay for teachers, Education Week.
January 20, 2010 - Race to the Top Application Submitted to Washington with Overwhelming Support from Minnesota - Support from 300 school districts and 116 charter schools causes state to increase grant request to $330 million, Minnesota Department of Education.
January 19, 2010 - No Handouts, States Compete For Education Aid - Tuesday is the deadline for states to apply for billions of dollars the Obama administration is offering in federal aid for education. About 40 states are competing for some of the $4.3 billion in the administration's "Race to the Top" fund, NPR.
January 19, 2010 - Obama Hopes 'Race' Spurs Changes In Education (Audio) - President Obama's "Race to the Top" initiative offers $4 billion to states committed to making changes to education, NPR.
January 13, 2010 - Over 250 Districts, Schools Sign On to Race to the Top - Over 250 districts and charter schools have submitted a Race to the Top memorandum of agreement, Minnesota Department of Education.
 January 15, 2010 (Updated) - Minnesota Race to the Top Districts/Schools
January 13, 2010 - State Holding Minnesota's Schools Hostage through "Race to the Top" - Today is the final day school districts can sign up for federal funds through the federal "Race to the Top" program. Despite unpalatable portions of the program, schools across Minnesota know that the state's financial chokehold on education is even more unpalatable and they are grasping at any straw available, no matter the consequences, Minnesota 2020.
January 8, 2010 - Bemidji Area Schools: District turns to Race To The Top funding - Foreseeing little chance of increases in state aid funding for K-12 education, the Bemidji School District’s Board of Education is turning to federal funding opportunities, Bemidji Pioneer.
January 6, 2010 - Federal School Money Not Worth the Acrobatics - Minnesota should put a stop to its application for the federal government's Race to the Top program. Several aspects of the plan are quite troubling and the immediacy of the application doesn't allow for proper consideration, Minnesota 2020.
January 6, 2010 - Kittson Central considers Race to the Top funding - The Kittson Central School Board discussed participating in Minnesota Race to the Top (RTTT) funding at their monthly meeting Dec. 23, Kittson County Enterprise.
2009
December 22, 2009 - A Race to the Top Shouldn't Have So Many Hoops - Race to the Top guidelines require the state Board of Education to sign off on the plan, but Minnesota has no Board of Education. Its Education Commissioner is unelected as well - current commissioner Alice Seagren was appointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. That means no elected official has any real input into the grant application, Minnesota 2020.
December 17, 2009 - Education Minnesota offers option for federal education dollars - As the state of Minnesota puts the final touches on its entry in the federal Race to the Top competition, Education Minnesota announced its own proposal for using federal dollars to more directly support great teaching and learning in the classroom, Workday Minnesota.
December 16, 2009 - Minnesota teachers union wants input in state stimulus grant proposal - Meeting set to air ideas for application, Pioneer Press.
December 16, 2009 - Minn. bid for part of education stimulus hits snag - The state's teachers union complained today that the Pawlenty administration is trying to use federal stimulus dollars to force schools to adopt the governor's merit pay plan, Minnesota Public Radio.
December 16, 2009 - Education leaders at odds over application for large federal grant - There is a sharp dispute on what innovations to promote in state's application for $175 million to $250 million in federal funds, Star Tribune.
December, 15, 2009 - Race to the Top Grants: Changes to the process - Through these grants, the federal government is asking States to advance reforms in four specific areas, Parents United.
December 9, 2009 - States Compete for Obama School Reform Funds - His Race to the Top program offers money to public schools that make changes to improve education, U.S. News & World Report.
December 9, 2009 - No Child Left Behind Law Loses Support - Many education experts are speculating that Obama's Race to the Top initiative is essentially a dry run for the next version of NCLB, U.S. News & World Report.
December 7, 2009 - State must compete in Race to the Top - Stakeholders should set aside differences in spirit of innovation, Star Tribune.
November 23, 2009 - Race to the Top Overview of Final Notice for Applicants - Slides and transcript from U.S. DOE conference call presentation reviewing the Final Notice for Applicants released November 18, 2009.
November 11, 2009 - After Criticism, the Administration Is Praised for Final Rules on Education Grants - Three months after provoking an outpouring of criticism with preliminary plans for the nation’s largest competitive education grant program, the Obama administration has added flexibility in the final rules, released Wednesday, drawing praise from a state governor who was initially critical and from leaders of the national teachers’ unions, New York Times.
November 10, 2009 - Race to the Top Grants Recap - Is there a reasonable assurance that these prescriptive strategies will work? Does the state legislature have a role in the grant process?, Parents United.
November 10, 2009 - Education Reform: Wrong Diagnosis, So Wrong Cure - Sooner or later, a reluctant Congress is going to have to do something about replacing No Child Left Behind. If senators and representatives will listen, they'll learn why Education Secretary Arne Duncan's "Race to the Top" initiative is a really bad idea, and why thoughtful educators think politicians, business leaders and wealthy philanthropists are bulls in the education china shop, truthout.
November 9, 2009 - States can seek next round of stimulus money for schools, but with strings attached - The Obama administration is ready to hand out more stimulus dollars for schools, but this time, strings are attached, Star Tribune.
November 8, 2009 - Minnesota poised to get major federal education grant - Experts say the state's history of innovation in education give it a competitive edge in the race for a slice of the $4.35 billion stimulus pie, Star Tribune.
November 4, 2009 - School Board session: No time to waste in 'Race to the Top' - It's being called a "moon shot," by far the largest federal government investment in K-12 education reform in the history of the United States. Part of the federal stimulus package, known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Race to the Top initiative totals $3.4 billion and is part of $100 billion in the stimulus earmarked for education in general, Crookston Daily Times.
November 4, 2009 - Schools sprinting to win Obama’s Race to the Top billions - President Obama touted Race to the Top to the nation in a speech in Madison, Wis., Wednesday. But schools already know it well, Christian Science Monitor.
November 3, 2009 - Obama uses stimulus money to coax states to embrace his school agenda - WASHINGTON - Using stimulus dollars as bait, President Barack Obama is coaxing states to rewrite education laws and cut deals with unions as they compete for $5 billion in school reform grants, the most money a president has ever had for overhauling schools. And it may end up going to only a few states, Associated Press (Star Tribune).
November 2009 (Updated) - Race to the Top Executive Summary - A competitive grant program designed to encourage and reward States that are creating the conditions for education innovation and reform; achieving significant improvement in student outcomes, including making substantial gains in student achievement, closing achievement gaps, improving high school graduation rates, and ensuring student preparation for success in college and careers; and implementing ambitious plans in four core education reform areas; provides a detailed description of the selection criteria to be scored on a 500-point scale; Round 1 awards will be announced in April 2010, U.S. Department of Education (Press release).
October 29, 2009 - State begins ARRA education grant process - While the state may be well-positioned as a contender for federal Race for the Top funds, some House members are concerned about the strings that may come with money, Session Daily.
October 22, 2009 - Education leaders kick-off Race to the Top effort with regional meetings to gather public input - Minnesota well-positioned to receive federal funding due to recent education reforms, Minnesota Department of Education.
October 21, 2009 - Minnesota Race to the Top - Discussion document, Minnesota Department of Education.
October 09, 2009 - Senate E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division - Education Commissioner Alice Seagren speaks to Minnesota's Race to the Top grant application beginning at 52.30.
 Real Media format
Windows Media format
September 2009 - Interpreting “Race to the Top” - An overview and summary of the Race to the Top guidelines, The New Teacher Project.
| 
