PA Team to Present Case for 'Race to the Top' Funds in Nation's Capital

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A team from Pennsylvania will present the commonwealth's vision for education reform to the reviewers scoring its Race to the Top application on Aug. 11 in Washington, D.C., acting Education Secretary Thomas E. Gluck said today.

Pennsylvania was named on July 27 as one of 19 finalists for a Race to the Top grant of up to $400 million. Each of the state finalists will make a team presentation to the reviewers scoring its application, and reviewers will have the opportunity to ask questions. The reviewers can adjust their scores based on the presentations.  Race to the Top grant winners are expected to be announced in early September.

"Pennsylvania's emergence as a finalist was based upon the strong foundation of reforms already well under way in our state, as well as the potential shown in our application for accelerating our rate of student success," said Gluck. "Our application is strong, and we are optimistic about receiving a grant that will help advance our efforts."

Gluck will be joined on the presentation team by:

• Dr. Arlene C. Ackerman, superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia
• Donna Cooper, secretary of Policy and Planning, Office of the Governor
• Amy C. Morton, deputy secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education
• Mark Roosevelt, superintendent, Pittsburgh Public Schools

Gluck said if awarded, Race to the Top funds would be used to accelerate the commonwealth's ongoing efforts to:

• Increase student achievement and develop data systems capable of supporting reform;
• Turn around the lowest performing schools;
• Create a world-class system for professional development;
• Develop a robust evaluation system for teachers and leaders; and
• Evaluate programs to identify and spread best practices.

Media contact: Steve Weitzman, 717-783-9802.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Education