Union, data system faulted for state's loss in federal education-grant contest

08-26-2010

By Terence Chea/Associated Press

Weak support from teachers unions was a key factor in California's failure to win money in the Obama administration's school reform competition, according to documents released Wednesday by U.S. Department of Education. The state was not among the 10 winners announced Tuesday in the second round of the $4.35 billion grant contest, which rewards states for ambitious reforms to improve low-performing schools, boost graduation rates and close achievement gaps. California, which stood to win as much as $700 million, placed 16th of the 19th finalists in the second round, scoring 424 out of 500 possible points. The state scored 416 points in the first round, when only two states -- Tennessee and Delaware -- won grants. In the so-called score card released Wednesday, federal reviewers said they were concerned that the state's plan had the backing of only 300 of the state's roughly 1,800 local education agencies -- and only one-third of local teachers unions in those districts. (more…)

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Union, data system faulted for state's loss in federal education-grant contest

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