Phila. teachers union boosts Pa. chances for grant

Pennsylvania's bid to get up to $400 million in federal stimulus money to boost public education has been significantly improved with a pledge by Philadelphia's teachers union to help implement the comprehensive reform plan and with its endorsement by the state's largest teachers union.

The $4 billion federal Race to the Top program, which Pennsylvania wants a piece of, was part of the economic stimulus act passed last year. States seeking a share of first-round awards must apply by Tuesday; initial grants will be announced in April, with another round later this year. New Jersey is also applying.

The program rewards states that promise to revamp teacher salary structures and evaluations and to turn around failing schools, among other measures.

Exactly how much money participating districts would get is not clear. If Pennsylvania gets $400 million, Philadelphia would get tens of millions, officials said. And state estimates say that, for example, a high-poverty district with enrollment of more than 10,000 would get from $3 million to $8 million, while a prosperous district of the same size would get $300,000 to $1 million.

Each state's Race to the Top application must include a list of school districts and teachers unions that have pledged to implement the initiative. The extent to which school districts agree to a state's proposal is a big factor in whether states will get the money, the U.S. Education Department has said.

By signing on, the unions are signaling that they will make a good-faith effort to implement the plan, though the particulars would have to be put in place through negotiations between unions and school districts if an existing contract does not allow them.

Jerry Jordan, president of the 17,000-member Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, said in a statement yesterday: "We are willing to participate in this application, since these funds can help provide our students with the kinds of opportunities that suburban students already enjoy. Such programs can help close the achievement gap and increase the graduation rate."

Superintendent Arlene Ackerman said in a statement: "We have come together to signal our commitment and dedication on behalf of our students and teachers."

Pennsylvania State Education Association president Jim Testerman also said yesterday that he was encouraging locals in districts where the state plan would be a good fit to participate. The association represents teachers in 483 of Pennsylvania's 500 school districts. The state Education Department, he said, has "done a good job of trying to shape a proposal that gets input from a variety of stakeholders" while meeting the federal requirements.

The deadline for Pennsylvania districts to endorse the state proposal is today. State Education Department spokesman Michael Race said in an e-mail yesterday afternoon that "numerous" districts had agreed to participate, but he did not release any other details.

Pennsylvania's Race to the Top proposal said that 31 school districts, including Philadelphia, Chester Upland, Norristown, Southeast Delco, Upper Darby and William Penn, have potential "turnaround" schools - those needing drastic action and big improvements to achieve a measure of success. Besides Philadelphia, it was unclear yesterday which of those districts had signed on.

Districts with turnaround schools would choose from four models. One calls for the principal and at least 50 percent of the staff to be replaced, and implementation of a new curriculum, more learning time, a new teacher evaluation system, and new student supports. The second would leave the staff in place but make all the other changes as the first.

Under the third option, a school would become a charter or be managed by an outside educational management organization. The fourth choice is to close the school.

The plan also sets targets for math and reading improvements by 2014 for all participating school districts. Those that have less than 50 percent of their students performing at a proficient level on state exams in math, for example, would seek to have 70 percent to 81 percent proficient or above by that time.

The state also said it would make available diagnostic tools that teachers could use to identify struggling students. It pledged to develop a model teacher evaluation system by January 2011 that includes student performance as a "significant factor."

Participating districts must also agree to work toward instituting pay supplements for "highly effective" teachers who take on additional responsibilities or who work in high-needs schools. Few districts have such provisions, and ensuring that low-achieving schools get good teachers is one of the key areas under discussion in the current Philadelphia contract negotiations.

The agreement by the Philadelphia union to support the state's plan may also be a sign that there has been progress on contract negotiations with the district. It comes just a few days before the latest extension expires.