Maryland released its draft RTT application today, giving the world its first peek into the state's plans (it didn't apply in round one). Baltimore Sun coverage here, Washington Post here.
Over the last couple months, I've been very tough on Maryland. To date it has been a real RTT laggard.
But the state's application is a bit better than I expected. It plays up its strengths well, includes a couple new ideas, and puts together a comprehensive pitch.
But there is a major problem. Though there are weaknesses in the data and charter sections, Maryland--like many other states--comes up very short in the teachers section. Rather than going bold, it attempts to capture lots of stakeholders. That's not a recipe for success.
Interestingly, the state released this draft to the public more than 6 weeks before the submission deadline. Unfortunately, this will give stakeholders lots of opportunity to try to weaken the plan.??But it also gives the state the chance to fix its shortcomings.
If the plan is lefts as-is, I'm confident that it won't win. But with some important changes, it will be in the discussion. But those changes (to teacher evaluations, tenure, compensation, and terminations) will anger stakeholders.
So for the next 45 days, Maryland will be forced to wrestle with the ultimate RTT question: Do we go bold and sacrifice buy-in or water down the plan to get more stakeholders on board.
Time will tell.
--Andy Smarick