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Race to the Top or Muddle
Through the Middle?
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By Peter Sullivan
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In late August, the U.S. Department of Education announced the winners of
the “Race To The Top.” The Race To The Top is an initiative developed by
President Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan as a means of
providing incentives for states to develop comprehensive plans to recruit and
retain effective teachers; develop data-driven techniques for measuring student
performance; adopt standards and assessments that prepare students for
success in college and the workplace; and, most importantly, find ways to turn
around failing schools.
Those states whose plans meet the criteria are eligible for over $10 billion in
federal grants to implement education reform measures.
Unfortunately, New Hampshire didn’t make the cut. In fact, we weren’t even close,
finishing 29th out of 36 states applying for funds. New Hampshire’s education
establishment never seemed to approach the process with the sense of urgency
that it deserved. Perhaps reform is viewed as too cumbersome a process;
perhaps other states simply have their act together to a greater degree than
New Hampshire when it comes to school reform. My suspicion is that it’s a
combination of the two.
The larger issue goes beyond the results of the Race to the Top. The deeper
problem is the stagnation and calcification of the discussion surrounding
education policy here in New Hampshire.
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For far too long, education funding has been the focal point of the education
debate in the Granite State. An eternal state of political trench warfare over the
proper funding mechanism has consumed virtually all of the energy in the
political and policy-making community. As a result, we bicker endlessly over how
to define “adequacy” when we should be seeking ways to achieve excellence.
This climate of stagnation is not solely the fault of either political party or of any
particular ideology. Too often, Democrats correctly focus on an outdated
and inefficient system of funding education but reflexively oppose any
discussion of public charter schools, standards, or accountability. Republicans
talk a good game when it comes to charter schools, but too often use them as
cover for a more radical agenda that aims to essentially dismantle public
education.
Both parties engage in frivolous gimmicks such as Manchester Mayor Ted
Gatsas’ proposal to consolidate elementary schools and middle schools into K-8
institutions, a move that is unsupported by any research or existing best
practices.
None of these approaches will ever provide the forward-thinking agenda that our
kids need and deserve.
New Hampshire is in need of a sea change in the discussion surrounding
education reform. Republicans and conservatives must rethink their reflexive
devotion to an education funding system that may have been appropriate for the
rural, sparsely populated New Hampshire of the 1950s but is woefully
inappropriate in the 21st century. If our schools have a dependable funding
stream, it will make it much easier to undertake critical reforms, be they assisting
charter schools, providing intensive tutoring for at-risk students, or simply
providing every student with a textbook.
My fellow Democrats must realize that what makes the National Education
Association happy is not necessarily the same thing as what benefit’s the
students in our schools. Greater choice within the public school context, tenure
reform, and greater accountability should not be taken off the table out of fear of
losing political action committee support.
Supporters of real education reform have true allies in President Obama and
Secretary Duncan. New Hampshire’s elected leaders need to take advantage of
the pro-reform climate and commit themselves to implementing bold and
innovative reforms and take student achievement to a new level. Our future
economic competitiveness depends on it, and our kids and their parents
deserve nothing less.
Peter M. Sullivan is an attorney living in Manchester. He has served as a
member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and the
Manchester Board of Aldermen. Comments about this column can be sent
to letters@newhampshireherald.com.
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