In a single sentence, Secretary Duncan has multiplied the chances of getting major reforms out of round two of the Race to the Top.
Across the country, state leaders are in a battle with unions over the substance of second round applications. Bold state leaders are pushing for more reform. Union opposition has been strong and effective; they've argued that their buy-in is essential for a state to win.
In today's WSJ, Duncan weighs in conclusively on which path will lead to victory.
Watered-down proposals with lots of consensus won't win, and proposals that drive real reform will win.
This provides reform-minded state leaders the ammunition they need. They can now go to their legislatures and lobby for meaningful new policies. They can now sit down with union leaders and say, ?We want to negotiate. We want to craft reforms with you. But we are moving ahead. The ball is now in your court. You can either be a constructive partner or get left behind.?
If state leaders take full advantage of Secretary Duncan's direction, over the next 35 days we may see a great deal of reform activity in many states, including those where progress had ground to a halt.
?Andy Smarick