Although I was pleased that Secretary Duncan chose only two states in the first round of the Race to the Top, we need to remember that there is well over $3 billion left in the kitty.?? He has estimated that 10 to 15 more grants could be made in the second round.
The problem is that there most certainly were not 10 to 15 worthy applications in the first round.?? By my estimation there were only 7 in the ballpark and that includes winners Delaware and Tennessee.
I've been wondering what the secretary would do if applications of roughly the same quality come in next time around.?? Would he feel compelled to spend all the money, even if that meant providing grants to states that hadn't reached the ???very, very high bar????
There's good reason to believe there would be pressure to do just that.?? First, the money has to be spent by the end of the fiscal year or it goes back to the Treasury.?? Some would consider it a lost opportunity for reform if even a single cent doesn't reach the states.?? Second, with state budgets still reeling from the economic downturn, some will reason that the program, even if it's not rewarding bold reforms, could at least help address these deficits.
But thankfully it appears that the secretary is standing by the high bar.?? Education Daily reports that he will only fund applications that pass muster.?? ???We are not compelled to spend to the penny. In the second round, if we get three good applications, then we get three good applications.???
That's exactly the right signal to send.?? Some state leaders, especially with elections looming in November, will undoubtedly try to be politically strategic about their proposals???that is, do what's necessary to win while minimizing dissent from reform opponents.?? That would mean reform-lite plans.?? If they think 15 grants will be made, they only need to have the 15th best application.
For the next 60 days, Secretary Duncan should continuously tell states, ???You better put together great proposals because I'm willing to send this money back to the Treasury.????? That would not only compel more reforms and better applications, it would also???if he dramatically kept his word and didn't spend all the money???show Congress that he means business.?? Appropriators would be more willing to fund his future competitive grant requests if they knew the secretary would stand firm.
--Andy Smarick