Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Last updated 05/18/10
As we begin Phase 2, we will update this page regularly.
KEY DATES
- May 17 MOU sent out to LEAs — Download the Cover Letter to LEAs.
- May 21 Signed MOUs are due back to mou@ose.ca.gov — Download the MOU for LEAs.
- May 25 Stakeholder Letters of Support are due back to support@ose.ca.gov
- May 28 Application transmitted
Please submit questions about California's Race to the Top to info@caracetothetop.org.
See the complete set of FAQs from Phase 1 Race to the Top.
General Questions
- What went wrong in Round 1?
- What is the schedule for the Phase 2 competition?
- Who will be reviewing the Round 2 applications? Will they be different from Round 1?
- Why did we not include replenishment of funds for school improvement and teacher training in our first RTTT application?
- How will the funding be distributed for Round 2?
- What are the projected funding amounts for LEAs that opt to participate in Round 2 of Race to the Top?
- How can I support Round 2?
Participation in Round 2
- What districts are participating in Round 2 for the State of California?
- How can I get my district involved in Round 2 of Race to the Top?
- Whom can I contact for more information about participating in RTTT, whether as a district, association, or foundation?
- Is the letter expressing our LEA’s intent to apply binding?
- If we file an intent to apply and change our mind is there a penalty or sanction?
- Can a new charter, approved and starting in July, participate in RTTT?
Round 2 Application Preparation
- What is the consulting firm we are using and how is California paying for these consultants?
- What approach is this consulting firm taking with the superintendents?
- What is the timeline for Round 2? Who will be crafting the MOU?
MOUs for Round 2
- Will my district only obtain federal RTTT funding if we sign the MOU?
- What if a district wants to back out once they sign the MOU?
- If our board is not meeting until next week can we submit the MOU with just one signature on Friday May 21?
- Where can I go to review the MOU once it is drafted?
Teachers’ Union Involvement
- Are the teachers’ unions involved in Round 2 at all?
- Is there any positive example that the local-level approach might work for California in regards to not having statewide union support?
Data Systems
General Questions
What went wrong in Round 1?
California learned after Round 1 that we need to be much more specific in our second application. We need to clearly craft a detailed plan for reform, how we will implement it, and who will be carrying out the reform. We also learned that we need to improve plans for implementing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) reform, and how we will use multiple forms of data in teacher evaluation and student achievement.
What is the schedule for the Phase 2 competition?
Phase 2 applications are due June 1, 2010. We anticipate that States invited to participate in Tier 2 will be notified on or around July 26, 2010. Finalists will present their applications in Washington, D.C. the week of August 9, 2010. Winners will be announced in late August or early September.
Who will be reviewing the Round 2 applications? Will they be different from Round 1?
We assume that there will be a call put out for new reviewers and it is our assumption that there will be a new panel of applicant assessors.
Why did we not include replenishment of funds for school improvement and teacher training in our first RTTT application?
Federal funds cannot supplant state funds (only the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund was specifically authorized to “backfill” state funding cuts). RTTT was specifically designed to provide funding for systemic changes at the local level, rather than provide funding for the same system as it currently exists.
How will the funding be distributed for Round 2?
Federal rules require that 50% of funds go out based on proportion of Title 1 students; remainder can be allocated in a way that works for the plan for participating districts, as well as the necessary statewide program expenditures.
What are the projected funding amounts for LEAs that opt to participate in Round 2 of Race to the Top?
Funding allocations will be determined once we know which LEAs are participating. The requirements are that half the state total be allocated to participating LEAs based on each LEAs proportion of Title I funds in comparison to other participating LEAs. Additionally, significant portions of the other half of the total state funding will be allocated to LEAs for the reforms in our plan.
How can I support Round 2?
Any organization or district that supported Round 1 is of course invited to support Round 2. We are asking for letters of support as soon as possible from associations, districts, foundations, higher education institutions, etc. to be sent to support@ose.ca.gov.
Participation in Round 2
What districts are participating in Round 2 for the State of California?
For Round 2, California has formed a working group of six district superintendents who will work with consultants to craft the best Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) possible. The six districts are: Los Angeles Unified School District (USD), San Francisco USD, Long Beach USD, Fresno USD, Clovis USD, and Sanger USD. Together, they represent more than 1 million students in California.
How can I get my district involved in Round 2 of Race to the Top?
All LEAs in California are eligible to participate in Race to the Top (RTTT). If your district is interested in committing to sign on to the MOU, we suggest contacting one of the six districts to discuss your support. We are looking for a full commitment to implement reform from all districts that sign the MOU. Other feedback is always welcome at info@caracetothetop.org.
Whom can I contact for more information about participating in RTTT, whether as a district, association, or foundation?
Please contact the California Undersecretary of Education, Kathryn Radtkey- Gaither, by e-mail at krgaither@ose.ca.gov or the Lupita Cortez Alcala, Deputy Superintendent for Government Affairs and Charter Development by e-mail at lalcala@cde.ca.gov.
Is the letter expressing our LEA’s intent to apply binding?
No it is just a planning tool to help us develop the Race to the Top application. Signed MOUs express LEA commitment and are due May 21.
If we file an intent to apply and change our mind is there a penalty or sanction?
No there is no penalty or sanction as the intent is just for planning purposes.
Can a new charter, approved and starting in July, participate in RTTT?
Yes but please note this in the MOU.
Round 2 Application Preparation
What is the consulting firm we are using and how is California paying for these consultants?
The consulting firm chosen is The Parthenon Group. Once the results for Round 1 were announced, California was immediately put in touch with the Gates Foundation regarding consulting for Round 2. Funding for consultants was secured by the Eli Broad, Stuart, Hewlett, Gates, and Packard Foundations.
What approach is this consulting firm taking with the superintendents?
Each of the six superintendents who have committed has strong support and innovation in various aspects of the application. The district superintendents will be “paired” with a consultant from Parthenon to craft sections of the MOU for best results.
What is the timeline for Round 2? Who will be crafting the MOU?
The timeline for Round 2 is extremely fast. The working group will be crafting the MOU for review; we hope to have it available for e-mail distribution by the week of May 17. We suggest that any necessary board meetings be calendared now for that week. We ask for feedback and additional participants to sign on by May 21. Once we make edits and additions, we will have to turn in the final application on June 1st. As this comes after a holiday weekend, we anticipate completing our application by Friday, May 28.
MOUs for Round 2
Will my district only obtain federal RTTT funding if we sign the MOU?
Yes. Districts that are fully committed to implementing the reforms outlined in the MOU, and who sign on to be part of the MOU, will receive funding.
What if a district wants to back out once they sign the MOU?
Unlike Round 1, California will not be allowing opt-outs for Round 2. There are two reasons: 1) there is significant point loss if signers are not committed and have the ability to back out; 2) in the interest of time, we have to have a full commitment to move forward. We are hoping we will get more than the six superintendents, but these six have made the commitment and if that’s all that sign on we will still have the representation of over 1 million students; more than the two states that won Round 1. Should your district wish to provide input or comment on the MOU, please send comments to info@caracetothetop.org.
If our board is not meeting until next week can we submit the MOU with just one signature on Friday May 21?
Yes only one signature is required. When your board approves you can resubmit with new signatures so that we get credit in the application. One cautionary note is that we would prefer this only if you believe that your board will approve when they meet.
Where can I go to review the MOU once it is drafted?
The MOU draft will be e-mailed to every county office of education, district, charter, and local educational agency in the state for review and will be posted on this website. Download the MOU for LEAs.
Teachers’ Union Involvement
Are the teachers’ unions involved in Round 2 at all?
The six districts that have committed to participating in Round 2 all have good working relationships with their local teachers’ unions, and have agreed to communicate this application process with those unions. As education is delivered at the local level in California, we feel it is most important for the superintendents to work locally with their unions. However, these six superintendents have committed to signing the MOU regardless of whether they obtain support from their local unions.
Is there any positive example that the local-level approach might work for California in regards to not having statewide union support?
Yes. U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan urged California to look at the Round 1 application for the state of Georgia, which came in third. Georgia’s application included only a portion of its districts—but those districts were fully committed to strong reforms.
Data Systems
What kinds of data systems will be outlined for implementation?
We are focusing much more on how districts use their data systems to help improve student achievement but are not sure about how the state level data question is going to be addressed. Thus, we will need to pull all sources together for California as a state. As we are so large, we do not have the state level data system up and running yet. We hope our working group can make the best case possible for California’s use of data.