Dsea

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Delaware's RTTT application DSEA White Paper on the RTTT guidelines and DoE's Education Strategic Plan DSEA Letter of Support for Delaware's RTTT application RTTT Exec. Summary on Final Application Guidelines from USDOE 11-13.09 RTTT Final Application Guidelines from the US Dept. of Education Nov 13, 2009 Delaware Dept. of Education Strategic Action Plan upon which DE's RTTT application is based Dec 01 09 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of State of Delaware showing what DoE, State Board of Education, school districts, DSEA and local associations are agreeing to work on collaboratively in support of the State's RTTT Application "Scope of Work" document giving more details about DoE's Strategic Plan and the work to be done Delaware Regulations that change School Accountability and Educator Accountability January 2010 NEA Talking Points on RTTT Application Guidelines, Nov. 13, 2009 NEA News Release on RTTT Application Guidelines, Nov. 13, 2009 Delaware's $107 million RTTT application finished, on its way to D.C. January 19, 2010....As the state's RTTT application was on its way to D.C., Governor Markell held a press conference to announce the news and read the cover letter he included with the ambitious application. "We intend to lead this race, with our promise that every student will be ready for a career or higher education. Delaware has a strong story to tell." He also mentioned, as did Secretary Lowery, the courageous leadership of DSEA President Diane Donohue. "Many of DSEA's resolutions are embodied in this application - professional development, collaborative planning time, parental and community involvement. There are challenges ahead, certainly, but the key will be continuing to work together, to make working conditions and student learning conditions better, and moving education forward." The biggest challenge, of course, is definining "student improvement" in a fair, effective way, since that definition will effect so much related to both educator and school accountability and its consequences. Said Markell: "People coming together, who have different perspectives, keeping focussed on kids, was our unifying theme." According to RTTT guidelines, Delaware would qualify for between $20 and $75 million, but has applied for $107 million. If successful, state and education officials will be invited to D.C. in March to make an in-person presentation before a final decision on the grant is made. Bonuses to" Highly Effective" teachers, in high-needs schools (high poverty or high-minority schools), and more money if they teach in hard-to-fill positions are part of Delaware's application (explained in the "Scope of Work" document) for Race to the Top Funds: $8,500 for Highly Effective teachers in high-needs schools; and $10,000 if they also teach a "critical subject matter," i.e., special education or middle or high school math or science. These incentive bonuses are designed to attract teachers to critical needs schools as well as reward teachers who are already there. The exact requirements for earning a rating of "Highly Effective" are still to be defined: DSEA will be part of a group to work on the many definitions needed around "student performance" in order for a revised evaluation system to begin in the fall of 2011. According to DoE Secretary Dr. Lillian Lowery, these sums meet the definition of "viable incentive amount" for Delaware, as defined by research done by the McKinsey Research Corp. Secretary Lowery has included in Delaware's application, funds for a working conditions survey, a project that DSEA has advocated for for many years. She agrees that working conditions are as important to educators as their compensation, sometimes even more. "Delaware recognizes that differentiated pay is only one component of retaining highly-effective teachers in high-need schools, and that significant efforts must be taken to improve schools' teaching and learning environments. The DDOE will commission a statewide Teaching and Learning Conditions Survey, which will be analyzed to identify the most critical issues, and potential courses of redress, for improving school environments. " Delaware also recognizes that school environments are not shaped by students and educators alone, and will work to improve community and parental involvement in schools. The State will encourage participating school districts to use RTTT funding to engage families and communities effectively, in supporting the academic success of students. The State further supports the Rodel Foundation's initiative to create community-oriented schools that meet students' social, emotional, and health needs. For the lowest performing schools, the State will require, as part of Partnership Zone negotiations, that schools create on-going mechanisms for parental and community involvement, and that the new school model be community-oriented." January 13, 2010....DSEA President Donohue sends letter of support to Sec. of Education Lillian Lowery regarding DE's RTTT applicationWe understand that all local teacher union presidents have also signed the "Memorandum of Understanding," giving their support to Delaware's RTTT application, which is due in Washington, D.C. on January 19. Donohue seeks members for DSEA Career Ladder Task Force "This all began last summer, with work with DoE and other education stakeholders regarding the areas of reform identified in the Race to the Top application guidelines. We then crafted a well-researched White Paper on our positions, a paper that helped us immensely as we talked and discussed these critical issues and possible changes with legislators and members," says DSEA President Diane Donohue. This federal competitive funding program could bring up to $75 million to Delaware’s public schools. Also making a difference in the final Strategic Plan for Education were the discussions our members had with Sec. Lowery and the Governor during their visits to schools this fall. Thank you! In December and early January, the DSEA Executive Board met and discussed the DoE Strategic Plan and RTTT application and what was needed for us to support them both. President Donohue also convened meetings of local union leadership teams to review all the information available, what changes we were successful in making, and to encourage them to sign the State's Memorandum of Understanding (of how the work would be completed should Delaware be successful in getting its grant). The more support a state has for its application, the greater its chances of receiving the grant. Changes strongly suggested by the Kent/Sussex local union leadership teams, very concerned about their districts understanding that the Obama Administration and Delaware's DoE required collaboration, not just information sharing, were made by Sec. Lowery to the final MOU document. There are changes in Delaware regulations regarding Evaluation (DPASII) as well as School Accountability that are at the moment expected to take effect in 2011. We have until then to work out the critical details."Multiple measures" of looking at student improvement are to be part of the Delaware regulations. You can see the proposed regulations here.

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