In very meaningful RTT news, Colorado has left important reforms out of its proposal. The state decided against making tough calls on teacher evaluations, potentially knocking a frontrunner back several spots.
But more than influencing CO's chances of winning, this move, like many before, provides more evidence for the USA Theorem. Why did the state decide against including these provisions and making its application as strong as possible? Because it wanted more stakeholders on board.
Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien has spearheaded Colorado's Race to the Top effort and said she would rather have the support of teachers and their union than forge ahead with a plan that schools are unhappy with.
Like Kentucky, CO has decided to go low X (proposal strength) and high Y (stakeholder support).