I'm writing quarterly reports for AEI on the implementation and influence of the education provisions of the ARRA (the federal stimulus legislation). The second report was just released; you can find it here and a brief description here.
Major takeaways:
--Despite Secretary Duncan's pleas, about $75 billion in formula-based program funds are being used to maintain the status quo instead of to drive reform
--The severity and longevity of the recession have complicated matters at the state and local level; budgets will continue to be adversely influenced for some time
--Most state and district education cuts are short-sighted and non-strategic
--Though prescriptive, the administration's priorities for the Race to the Top are reform-oriented
--A number of states have already changed education laws and policies????for the better????to improve their chances at competing for Race to the Top dollars
--Given the significant state and local budget shortfalls, we should be mindful of the possibility that Race to the Top recipients will use these funds to protect existing jobs and programs instead of launching new, promising initiatives
--For a number of reasons we should guard against assuming that????Race to the Top grants and????changes in state laws will generate meaningful, sustainable improvements in student learning.