Recognizing that Race to the Top may be defunded in the next budget, Peter Greene explains the program’s original purposes, priorities, and policies.
Greene calls it a “giant turkey” with its neck on the chopping block and warns that it is too soon to celebrate. It might be saved at the last minute.
After surveying its many parts, he concludes:
“Yes, when lost in the haze of debate and discussion, sometimes it’s best to go back to the basics. Here it is– exactly what the feds wanted. Good paperwork. A teacher rank and rate system based on student test scores that would drive everything from training. More charters. More school takeovers.
“While the document says that RttT ‘will reward states that have demonstrated success in raising student achievement,’ that’s not really what it rewards. It rewards states for remaking their education systems along the lines demanded by the feds. And though the document promised that the best models would spread their reform ideas across the country, five years later, there are no signs of any such spreading infection. But then, there are no signs that any of these federal ideas about fixing schools has actually improved education for any students in this country.
“If Congress actually manages to shut this mess down, there will be no cause for tears.”
Be sure to read the first comment about the turmoil unleashed by Arne Duncan, and the effect of chaos on students.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
From the “No Chump Like Bush” Act to “the Disgrace at the Top,” this has been a disaster from Day One — a textbook example of what politicians can do when they over-reach.
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Ed reform; brought to us by the 1% who want to abolish public education. This is a textbook example of what happens when the wealthy rule by campaign finance and buy politicians who promise to do their bidding, by whatever means possible. Who would have ever thought millions would be spent by out of state contributors to school board elections? Its repulsive. I think when they look at themselves in the mirror, these filthy rich see reptiles looking back at them. They are soulless and without conscience.
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I disagree. Ohio adopted this same ridiculous RttT frame where we’re ordered to compete with other public schools to get a small share of the money we paid in back to our schools.
Why, Kasich told us last week that one lucky public school district won 12 million dollars!
I have no earthly idea what happened to the rest of the public school money we sent to Columbus, but I’m hoping one or two other public schools are generously “awarded” their own money back.
Duncan tells schools “this is not a gift” in his usual scolding, patronizing tone.
Yeah. we know it’s not a “gift”. It can’t be a gift. It’s OUR money,
Where does he think the money he’s awarding as prizes comes from? Jamie Dimon? He can’t give us our own money as a “gift”.
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Why isn’t there a class action suit demanding tax dollars be delivered to the schools no strings attached? Where does this notion come from that we can be forced to pay taxes that we may or may not get back in the form of infrastructure and services? I simply do not understand why it isn’t being fought.
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