"Race To The Top" is a federal grant program from the U.S. Department of Education that is set to distribute nearly $4 billion to the nation's schools. Missouri could receive $150 million to $250 million in education funding, if its application is approved. I was disappointed with the final application submitted by Gov. Nixon because several of the education reforms that I've worked on were either left out or watered down. The Legislature was not given a chance to see the application before it was submitted, or I would have fought for the reforms our failing inner-city schools so desperately need. Now I want to make sure that any reforms we must complete as part of "Race To The Top" will also be in line with the Legislature's goals, and that our local control of schools will remain unaffected.
Just introduced this week, SB 976 would give the Missouri Legislature the tools to enact the reforms Missourians want for their schools. If our state's desire to reform education doesn't sync with what the federal government has in mind, then we won't accept the funding.
Senate Bill 976 includes language that establishes a special fund in the budget that holds any grant dollars the state is awarded. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education would have to provide the Legislature the details of the grant, the reforms it would enact, and the consequences of enacting the terms of the grant. With this holding fund in effect, we make sure that we don't accept terms that are not in line with our vision of education reform and that our long-term interests and local control remain the priority.
I believe it's time to change the way we think about education. We've let too many students down for far too long, and we cannot afford to just keep on going with the status quo. True education reform must include charter school expansion, the opting out of tenure, and the start of merit pay and differential pay proposals. By expanding charter schools and utilizing privately run schools, we can give students in failing districts an option to get a high quality education. We should be rewarding our best teachers, and our districts should be given the chance to provide incentives to our best teachers.
The proposed legislation is similar to how the state has handled federal stimulus funds. For example, when we were offered approximately $40 million in unemployment insurance funding, we did not agree with the permanent changes we were expected to make to our unemployment insurance fund, so we refused the money.
We are the Show-Me State, so you'll have to show us the reforms we want and the details of the program before we take any funds. It's that simple.
MULTIMEDIA PAGE
I recently added a new audio link to my multimedia page located on my Missouri Senate website. The new audio clips on my multimedia page features me discussing Senate Bill 907, which would create the Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program for public high school students who graduate from high school early. I presented the bill to the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday (2/24).I plan to continue to add audio and video clips during the 2010 legislative session. To view my multimedia page, visit http://www.senate.mo.gov/multimedia/Rupp/RuppMultimedia.html.
TOWN HALL MEETING REMINDER
Lincoln County Town Hall Meeting
Missouri Sen. Scott T. Rupp will host a Lincoln County Town Hall Meeting on March 8 to hear the questions and concerns from citizens of the 2nd Senate District.| Time: | 7:00 p.m. |
| Date: | Monday, March 8 |
| Location: | Lincoln County Health Department Community Room #5 Health Department Drive, Highway H Troy, Missouri, 63379 |
Date Change for March
St. Charles County Town Hall Meeting
Due to a recent death in the family, Missouri Sen. Scott T. Rupp has rescheduled the St. Charles County Town Hall meeting originally scheduled for Saturday, March 6. The town hall meeting has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 20, beginning at 1 p.m. Citizens of the 2nd Senatorial District are encouraged to attend this event and bring questions and concerns.| Time: | 1 p.m. |
| Date: | Saturday, March 20 |
| Location: | O'Fallon City Hall, Multi-Purpose Room 100 North Main Street, O'Fallon, MO 63366 |
As the 2010 legislative session unfolds, I will continue to keep you, my constituents, apprised of all major developments, and I look forward to continuing to serve your needs and priorities in Jefferson City. As always, if you have any questions about this week's column or any other matter involving state government, please do not hesitate to contact me. You can reach my office by phone at (866) 271-2844.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment