The Federal Register announced the “Final Priorities, Requirements, Definitions, and Selection Criteria; Race to the Top-District. These priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria are effective September 5, 2013.”

The Executive Summary states, “The purpose of this action is to establish priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria that will enable effective grant making, resulting in the selection of high-quality applicants who propose to implement activities that the Department believes are most likely to support bold, locally directed improvements in learning and teaching that would directly improve student achievement and educator effectiveness. . .”

“Through this competition, the Department will encourage and reward those local educational agencies (LEAs) or consortia of LEAs that have the leadership and vision to implement the strategies, structures, and systems that the Department believes are needed to implement personalized, student-focused approaches to learning and teaching that will produce excellence and ensure equity for all students. . .”

“Applicants must design a personalized learning environment that uses collaborative, data-based strategies and 21st-century tools, such as online learning platforms, computers, mobile devices, and learning algorithms, to deliver instruction and supports tailored to the needs and goals of each student . . .”

It is understood that creating a successful system of education, “requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the individual and collective needs of students, educators, and families and that dramatically transforms the learning environment in order to improve student outcomes.”

This being the position of the federal government, and, since state educational plans must align with federal regulations, there is no reason why the Rochester City School District should be content with a “business as usual” approach to its failing system of education.

New leaders with a new vision that will change the direction and focus of education so that it concentrates on the developmental learning abilities of every child while discovering, developing, and directing the talents and gifts of all children will not decrease the amount of financial support received but will actually serve to increase our district’s funding.

Our children deserve new leaders with the strength and courage to change the direction of education towards their success.

Join the Movement to Save Our Children!