This morning Secretary Duncan and Assistant Deputy Secretary Jim Shelton gave a preview of the $650 million "Investing in Innovation Fund" (or "I3"), the companion to the Race to the Top.
I liked what I heard, though there are many, many question left outstanding (the actual announcement will happen this fall). ????I give their presentation a fuller treatment here.
While I've pushed back on ED about turnarounds, the Opportunity Scholarship Program, and some other issues, there's no doubt that they are advocating for some very, very important reforms. It wasn't long ago that a Democratic administration would've thought an innovative use for $650 million in flexible money was giving each teacher in America a $200 bonus. This group wants to see differentiated teacher pay, clever use of data, replications of successful charters, new preparation programs, and more.
What a welcome change. Onward and upward.