Howard County Public Schools was not one of 61 school districts selected as finalists for a federal Race to the Top district grant that could have netted local schools up to $30 million in federal money.
The nearby school districts of Baltimore County and Baltimore City were both selected among the finalists, which were announced last week. But Howard County wasn't able to obtain the approval of the teacher's union for the grant application, which was one of the requirements.
"It is disappointing that we will not be able to accelerate our efforts to personalize learning for students in our highly impacted schools with the infusion of $30 million from the federal government," said Supt. Renee Foose. "I am delighted to hear that both Baltimore County and Baltimore City are among the finalists for this grant and wish them well."
Paul Lemle, the president of the Howard County Education Association, which represents teachers and school staff, said during the grant application process that HCEA wasn't given enough time to review the application. He also said the union isn't supportive of Race to the Top measures that tie teachers' pay with students' standardized test performance.
The grant is designed to help school districts implement personalized learning plans in order to close achievement gaps and increase educators' effectiveness, according to the U.S. Department of Education. In a press release, the Department of Education stated 15-25 winners will be selected from the 61 finalists for grants ranging from $5 million to $40 million, depending on the population of students in the district.
In Howard County's case, central school staff worked hard to finish the grant application within the 10-week window given by the government, according to Foose.
However, the application wasn't approved by the Howard County Board of Education until Oct. 30, which gave HCEA only two days to approve the final version of the application that was due on Nov. 1—something Lemle said the union couldn't do because HCEA bylaws require three-day notice to hold a board of directors and representative council meeting.
As a result, the school system submitted the application to the federal government on time, but without the required signature of the teacher's union.
For more information see - "$30 Million Grant Application Fails to Receive Union Signature"
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Disappointing the BOE hired this novice behind our backs in a motel and gave her a 100 thousand dollar raise and 25 grand to move here which we have heard nothing more about. Perhaps she could give this undeserved salary back to be used for these children. Disappointing. Dec 5 Foose will hold another dog and pony show at Marriotts Ridge but the public will not be allowed to ask questions from the floor and it will become the third in a series of PR videos. Disappointing the administration continues to work behind our backs
From Reclaiming the American Dream: Community Colleges and The Nations Future - "less than half of students who enter a community college graduate or transfer to a four-year college within six years. " So THAT is not something we can lay at the feet of Howard County Public Schools.
Hey Jack, show me where "Foose at her listen and learn forum put the college graduation rate for hcpss grads at about 20%"
The numbers from HCC are available at HCC on the 26%, about 1,000 of our grads we send them. Transfer rates are low and vary from year to year but does not mean these children graduate anywhere. What you forgot Thomas is the number of our grads which began at a 4 year and transfered back which is rather high so the numbers are accurate. Thomas you should quit going in circles and use your real name but I do appreciate you constantly helping to reinforce the truth.
So keep living in the fantasy world that you call howardpubliced while the rest of us know better.
Now if you are saying Foose has no idea now many graduate college than you are probably correct. However, Foose believes we are in line with the national average or low 20 percentile for college grads produced by the hcpss and so does the BOE. Now you seem to be confused by our high school grad rates although they are low for minorities and children of poverty. The hcpss teaches to the test, curriculum is aligned to the test and measures our students with the results of these watered down assessments. They graduate about 90% with assesssments in the 90 percential and claim 90% continue in college. When these children show up at places like HCC and 71% need remedial ed and only 13% succeed well we have a very serious problem. What happened Thomas? 13 years of public school in the 90 percentile and when the real world measures them they are grossly unprepared. It is called deception Thomas, it's a scam, the hcpss has decieved the public. It is real simple, every parent call the hcpss monday and ask for the truth. 90% are sent to college with no other skills and we expect to see 90% succeed but this is far from the case.
While we wait I am going with the 13% HCC graduates and publicly states and even though I found it shocking I will stay with the low 20% which Foose cited as the national average unless you can find someone in the hcpss to show us otherwise.