Montana didn't apply in the first round of the Race to the Top. ??At the time, its state superintendent said the program was pushing an urban agenda on rural states. Eric Feaver, the state union head, called it "devastating and irrational" and vowed to "do everything in our power" to keep the state from applying.
But now, with the state's budget condition deteriorating, both leaders have had a change of heart. The state plans to apply in round two.
Said Feaver, "When times are really right, you'll take your revenue streams wherever you can find them."
The union head said he will help write the application. According to the AP, Feaver "wants to make sure the state doesn't surrender core values like local control, keeping schools public, collective bargaining and requiring that teachers be licensed."
Several other establishment organizations, including the Montana School Boards Association, School Administrators of Montana, and the Montana Rural Education Association will also contribute to the application.
Montana is one of the ten states remaining without a charter law.
In total, then, Montana doesn't like the RTT's priorities, is applying because of the money, will have establishment organizations craft the plan, and doesn't have a policy environment hospitable to innovation and change.
Not such a strong start.
--Andy Smarick