OAKLAND, CA (August 20, 2009) “Governor Schwarzenegger’s call for a special session on education today means that California may have a chance to participate in the “Race to the Top” after all.

The Governor is providing clear leadership and keeping his word that California will aggressively compete for every available stimulus dollar. This special session provides an opportunity to change state laws that currently make California ineligible for grants from the $4.35 billion in competitive grant funding.

The Governor should be commended for taking a critical step in processing that California should eliminate the ‘firewall’ in state law that bans the use of student achievement data for purpose of teacher evaluation.

We agree that employment decisions should happen at the local level, but the state must take a direct role in helping local leaders identify and reward the teachers or group of teachers who are most successful at raising student achievement. This is a fundamental reform for improving outcomes for all of our students, especially the low-income students and students of color who have been historically underserved by our public schools.

California’s public schools are back in the “Race to the Top,” but the race is not yet won. State leaders must seize this opportunity to not only ensure that California meets the basic eligibility requirements, but that our state resumes its role as a national pace-setter and leader in education.”

Linda Murray, Acting Executive Director
The EdTrust—West