“We’re pleased to be among the 16 finalists in the federal Race to the Top competition, with $700 million at stake. Congratulations to Regents Chair Tisch and Commissioner Steiner for their achievement in getting New York State to this point.
“Being a finalist is not enough however—we haven’t won a dime yet, and we’re realistic about what the State needs to do to win this race. Especially given the state’s budget crisis, it is critically important that we make the strongest case possible in support of our application. I urge lawmakers to act in the coming weeks to approve school reform initiatives advocated by the Obama Administration: lifting the cap on charter schools, evaluating teachers based on whether they’re helping their students to learn, making it easier to remove ineffective teachers and—should we be forced to lay off teachers—ensuring that those who remain in classrooms are the very best, not simply the longest-serving. We cannot afford to leave this money on the table—we urge the State Legislature to pass a reform agenda that shows the federal government we are serious about improving our schools and being a model for the nation.”