The Chariots of Fire theme song echoed across the plains on Tuesday as states submitted their Race to the Top applications. But not everyone is drawn to the bait of federal dollars when it contains reform hooks. Several states have opted out all together, at least in round one. Texas Governor Rick Perry barred the Lone Star State from participating, saying the competition was a violation of states’ rights. Other states applied despite obstinate interest groups. Teachers’ union affiliates in many places (like New Jersey) opposed their state’s applications while many districts preemptively declined to take proffered funds if their host states win. In its scoring system, however, RTT counts buy-in from the various affected parties, but it remains to be seen how states with otherwise-strong applications but recalcitrant unions or districts will fare in the competition. The opposition is largely ideological, though some states like Montana worry that Secretary Duncan’s push towards charter schools is inappropriate for their rural demographics. Still, with 40 states plus the District of Columbia willing to jump through RTT’s hoops, Nevada’s schools superintendent is probably right when he told the Times, “When you’re starving and somebody puts food in your mouth, it’s amazing what states will do.”
"Education Grant Effort Faces Late Opposition," by Sam Dillon, New York Times,January 18, 2010