Race to the Top!
<< BackFollow this page for the latest news regarding the District School Board of Pasco County's eligibility for Race to the Top funds.
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Latest Race to the Top News
Pasco has been awarded approximately $8.6 million dollars to participate in the Florida Department of Education’s Race to the Top initiative. Pasco chose to seek Race to the Top funding as it is required to implement the Differentiated Accountability provisions.
The Race to the Top grant period includes one-year of planning (2010-11), followed by three years of implementation (2011-12, 2012-13 & 2013-14).
The 2010-2011 school year saw monies expended for the following areas:
Project 1 – increasing the use of lesson study as a means of improving instruction and student achievement at lowest-achieving schools
Project 2 - increasing enrollment in career academies
Project 3 – increasing the number of accelerated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) course offerings
Project 4 - computer access to comply with increased participation in computer-based testing
Project 8 – redesigning the teacher evaluation system to comply with federal and state requirements
Project 9 – redesigning the principal evaluation system to comply with federal and state requirements
Project 11 – intensive work with RHS, a school “in improvement,” designated by the state accountability system
Project 13 – commensurate share to participating charter school(s)
In 2011-2012, Pasco has required work ranging from a retooled teacher and principal evaluation system to increased student computer access. The major focus areas for this year include teacher evaluation systems and expanding lesson study.
What is Race to the Top?
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (commonly referred to as the stimulus package), the federal government set aside $4.35 billion in competitive grant funding (known as Race to the Top) to encourage and reward states that have aligned their educational policies with specific national priorities.
"The District is eager to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to determine how this new resource can be used to help students and support our dedicated staff."
– Allen Altman, School Board Chairman
Race to the Top and District Initiatives: Connecting our Work
Our vision is to create a community which works together so all students will reach their highest potential.
Guiding Principles for Pasco’s Vision
To live our vision, three strategic focus areas have been chosen
To help all students meet or exceed high academic standards, the district has pursued a multi-year focus on instructional best practices. In its efforts to live the vision, there have been federal, state and local impacts as demonstrated below.
Pasco’s Multi-tiered Systems of Support Framework (including PSRtI)
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Federal/State/Local |
Requirement |
Local Result |
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RTTT, IDEA / DA, F.S. 1003.57 |
Expand Lesson Study |
Common planning, selected schools participate in lesson study |
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Expand STEM Career and Technical Program offerings |
Adding Career Academy STEM classes and increasing students graduating with industry certification |
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RTTT / F.S. 1003.492, .498, .43 |
Increase advanced STEM coursework |
AVID, more advanced coursework courses |
|
Bolster technology for improved instruction and assessment |
Computers are added or upgraded so students may complete online assessments, additional End of Course Assessments, and increased use of computer-based testing for FCAT |
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Work is beginning in this area |
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Local Instructional Improvement System (LIIS) |
Improved access to student performance data (ie. PascoStar 4, formative assessments, tailored professional development). Meet minimum standards in the 9 components by 2013-2014 |
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Increased collaboration between district and collegiate teacher preparation programs |
Interns placed in schools with consideration for high vacancy rates or low performing schools |
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Improve Teacher & Principal Appraisal System |
At least 50% of evaluation based on student growth, advanced degrees must be in teaching field for pay, appraisals to be used for key employment decisions-reductions in staff, transfers, etc. |
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Develop a different Compensation System |
RHS piloted 2010-2011, 4 schools (D & F grades) must be included in 2011-2012, all by 2013-2014 |
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RTTT/ Professional Development Protocol Standards Sec. 1116(b)(3)(A)(iii)/ Strategic Plan |
Focus effective Professional Development |
Must expand Lesson Study and ensure high-fidelity of implementation in classroom |