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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2010 > March > 07 > Entry
Editorial: Real change can get Ohio more Race to the Top cash
Ohio got lucky Thursday when it was named a finalist for $400 million in federal grant money for schools. But the state has work to do if it truly wants big bucks or, more important, if it wants to try to make President Barack Obama’s reforms work.
Meanwhile, Dayton might still get a second chance at up to $5 million, after a potentially disastrous fumble while applying for a piece of the aid. Thankfully, the teachers union has done the right thing by reversing course and removing the costly roadblock it tossed in the district’s way in January. (The union refused to endorse Dayton’s application, saying it had concerns about strings attached to the federal money.)
Ohio’s selection among 15 states and the District of Columbia as finalists to compete for a share of $4 billion in Race to the Top grant money raised a few eyebrows. The state is not among those most commonly mentioned as likely contenders to be showcased as poster children for reform.
The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation’s Dayton-based Vice President Terry Ryan called Ohio’s application a “B-minus” effort.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan repeatedly promised only the very best applicants would be chosen, and politics would not be a factor. But critics have already taken note that Ohio was one of five politically important “swing states” (with Florida, Pennsylvania, Colorado and North Carolina) in the 2008 election to make the list, while only five deeply conservative states (Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, Georgia and South Carolina) were picked. The other six (New York, Illinois, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, the District of Columbia and Delaware) would have to be considered liberal.
That’s not to say that Ohio didn’t have a good case for federal funds. Some of Gov. Ted Strickland’s initiatives approved by the state legislature last year match well with President Obama’s priorities. But the state was much less aggressive than others which, in many cases, changed their laws to better fit the grant requirements.
In fact, state Sen. Jon Husted’s Senate Bill 180, which sought to improve the state’s chances, went nowhere.
The U.S. Department of Education isn’t saying how many states will win first-round funding next month or how much money they will get. But the signals have been strong that just a few states will be picked and that they will share a large pot of money.
It’s probably too late for Ohio to improve its case for the first round. Sen. Husted’s bill deserves a second look if the state gets a second chance to apply later this year.
Weirdly, Dayton would actually be better off if the state doesn’t get money in the first round. If Ohio is an early winner, none of it will come to Dayton because of the teachers union’s refusal initially to sign the grant application. If Ohio is picked in the second round, however, Dayton might be included because the union is now on board. Dayton certainly isn’t the only local district that blew it the first time around. Statewide, just 40 percent of school districts sought the millions available in district-level grants. Among those who took an ill-advised pass were Northmont, West Carrollton and Trotwood-Madison — all districts that are on the May ballot asking voters for new money.
Any district with financial needs shouldn’t be turning down a shot at federal aid. In this state, schools need money.
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: Editorials, Education, Scott Elliott
Comments
By Informed Taxpayer
March 7, 2010 9:36 AM | Link to this
It is difficult to take this editorial seriously when just the other day you ran a piece describing the problems in the state’s data collection problems with regard to “progress” in the state school districts. Weirdly (your words) it appears that most districts will have to spend the RTtT money just on improving data systems to get up to speed. In addition, where do you find the $5 million figure for DPS? Is that yearly? Over the course of the 5 years of the RTtT Grant? To briefly summarize, no money for actual classrooms since the data collection is poor, no source of funding after 5 years, yet DDN criticizes teacher’s unions in DPS and elsewhere for not meekly following the trail of bread-crumbs being offered by the US Dept. of Education and the lying fellow (who doesn’t apparently live in the district he represents)and is virulently anti-public schools…just check his top campaign funders. Honestly, how do you sleep at night writing this clap-trap?!
By DPS Teacher
March 7, 2010 12:43 PM | Link to this
Excellent points, Informed Taxayer! These were some of the same points questioned when the Dayton Teachers met to discuss RTTT. RTTT is just another smoke and mirrors attempt to improve public education.
By DPS Teacher
March 7, 2010 12:44 PM | Link to this
Excellent points, Informed Taxayer! These were some of the same points questioned when the Dayton Teachers met to discuss RTTT. RTTT is just another smoke and mirrors attempt to improve public education.
By A Dolla to make Ya Holla
March 7, 2010 9:32 PM | Link to this
I don’t get it. If you read Martin’s editorials he thinks “Fed” money grows on trees. If you read the DPS teacher’s point of view they don’t know where money comes from they just want it! If you read “Informed Taxpayer’s” comment it sounds like poor Joe Blow just isn’t taxed enough ‘cause all the poor performing schools get is just “bread-crumbs!” When will ya’ll wake up and realize that throwing money (Not your money—but taxpayer money) isn’t going to be a substitute for teaching kids! It doesn’t take $5 MILLION dollars for DPS to teach kids READING, WRITING, and MATH skills!!! Seriously, I don’t know how in the world you guys sleep at night! These kids coming out of Springfield and Dayton city schools don’t have the BASIC educational skills to get a job! And yet all you guys do is blame a guy “out of the district” or want more money! Grow up and start DOING your FRICKIN’ JOB!!!
By A Dolla to make Ya Holla
March 7, 2010 9:33 PM | Link to this
I don’t get it. If you read Martin’s editorials he thinks “Fed” money grows on trees. If you read the DPS teacher’s point of view they don’t know where money comes from they just want it! If you read “Informed Taxpayer’s” comment it sounds like poor Joe Blow just isn’t taxed enough ‘cause all the poor performing schools get is just “bread-crumbs!” When will ya’ll wake up and realize that throwing money (Not your money—but taxpayer money) isn’t going to be a substitute for teaching kids! It doesn’t take $5 MILLION dollars for DPS to teach kids READING, WRITING, and MATH skills!!! Seriously, I don’t know how in the world you guys sleep at night! These kids coming out of Springfield and Dayton city schools don’t have the BASIC educational skills to get a job! And yet all you guys do is blame a guy “out of the district” or want more money! Grow up and start DOING your FRICKIN’ JOB!!!
By A Conservative Voice
March 8, 2010 11:07 AM | Link to this
It’s obvious what isn’t being taught is Constitutional principles! Why should the taxpayers in Hawaii, for example, subsidize the educational system in Ohio? They have no representation in Ohio government! Is there a clearer case of taxation without representation? Likewise, why should Ohio taxpayers bail out California when we have no say in how they run their state? Another good reason to eliminate the Department of (Mis)Education.
By Historian
March 9, 2010 4:03 PM | Link to this
Well, Conservative Voice… then by your logic, I guess we can’t use federal funds to build highways or military bases in other states - since you have no concept of the “common good.” Reforming education is a matter of national security and economic prosperity. Why did George Bush spend so much money in Iraq - I don’t have any say in what its government does either.
By A Conservative Voice
March 10, 2010 2:32 PM | Link to this
What about the FAA? FDA? Does eminent domain use mean taking private property from one citizen and giving it to another? To increase the tax revenue? (NO) There is a difference between the military, national parks and the Department of Education. This forum is too limited to explore it.
By A Conservative Voice
March 10, 2010 2:33 PM | Link to this
What about the FAA? FDA? Does eminent domain use mean taking private property from one citizen and giving it to another? To increase the tax revenue? (NO) There is a difference between the military, national parks and the Department of Education. This forum is too limited to explore it.
By A Conservative Voice
March 10, 2010 2:35 PM | Link to this
What about the FAA? FDA? Does eminent domain use mean taking private property from one citizen and giving it to another? To increase the tax revenue? (NO) There is a difference between the military, national parks and the Department of Education. This forum is too limited to explore it.