An Introduction to the Race to

the Top In Colorado

Robert Reichardt
March 8, 2010

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 Overview
• Why reform
• What is the Race to the Top (R2T)?
• Colorado Approach to R2T?
• Colorado’s Plan
• Questions?

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4 Grade NEAP 2007
TH

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White/ Hispanic Achievement Gap,
4th Grade Math 2008
90%

85%

80%

75% Whites
70% percent
proficient &
65% advanced
60%

55%
Hispanics
50% percent
proficient
45%
and advanced
40%
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DE A CH E AI EN RA S S-
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 Colorado’s Higher Education
System
• Pubic System
– 12 public 4 year institutions
– 15 public 2 year institutions
– 220,000 students
– 49th in nation in per student funding
• Private system
– 103 Private Accredited institutions
– 316 Private Occupational Schools
• Colorado Paradox
– 6th in the nation for college educated adults
– 24th in the nation for sending our high school graduates to college

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 What is R2T?
• Competition between states for $4.15 billion in stimulus
funds
– Colorado asked for $377
– Half of funds go directly to districts based on Title 1 allocations
– Application available at: http://www.colorado.gov/ltgovernor/
then click on “Race to the Top”
• Focus on 4 reform areas:
– Data systems to support instruction
– Standards and assessments
– Great teachers and leaders
– Turning around struggling schools

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 More on R2T
– Guidance from US Dept of Ed was very specific
– Will be 2 rounds (and maybe 3)
– Colorado is one of 15 finalists in first round
– Five leaders will go to DC to present
– Expect announcement of winners next month

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 What Was Colorado’s Process
• Lt Governor O’Brien led the effort
• Public process
• One Committee for each reform area
• Proposed ideas for the plan at November 13 meeting
• Final plan signed by:
• Governor Ritter
• Commissioner Jones
• SBE President Schaffer

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 State Success Factors
• 134 (out of 178) participating LEAs (94% of
students)
– Final Scope of Work will be negotiated if we win
• Creates an R2T office in CDE
– Colorado Educational Research Consortium (CERC)

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 Standards & Assessments, Data
Systems & Low Performing Schools
• Agree to participate in national standards consortia
• Agree to participate in an assessments consortia
• Implement standards through collaboratives
• Develop statewide longitudinal data system
– Link teachers with their students
• Facilitate data driven instruction
• Intervene in bottom lowest 5% of schools in the state

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 Great Teachers and Leaders
• Develop teacher evaluation system using student
achievement
– Governor’s council develop model system
– District Councils develop district systems
• Use evaluations to inform compensation, promotion,
retention and removal
• Develop new sources
– TFA
– Support for pursuit of endorsements in shortage areas
• Use data to evaluate teacher preparation programs
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 Thinking About R2T
• R2T is a one-time investment over a four year
period
• Goal is to improve student outcomes through
Investing in:
– Technology and infrastructure
– Knowledge and skills
• Accelerating reforms watch out for the “cliff”
when the money runs out

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 Additional Questions?
Contact the Center for Education Policy Analysis
at the School of Public Affairs, UCD

Robert.reichardt@ucdenver.edu
303-315-2291

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