Baton Rouge
, La. -
The state’s top school board has approved Louisiana’s bid for federal prize money despite reservations about the highly charged issue of linking public teacher pay to performance.
The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted 6-3 on Tuesday to endorse the proposal.
Officials in 28 of the state’s 70 school districts have signed up to take part in parts of the plan that would provide money for schools that change the way teachers are evaluated.
Nearly 48 percent of students statewide attend schools in those 28 districts.
The contest, which is called “Race to the Top,” is designed to award $4.4 billion to a dozen or so states that show education innovation.
The Advocate reports Louisiana is asking for $300 million.
