Tallahassee
, Fla. -
State education officials have released a new federal “Race to the Top” grant application with changes designed to win more support from teachers unions.
It went to school districts Monday. Florida is seeking up to $700 million.
The state fell short on school district and union participation in the first round of competition.
Four of Florida’s 67 school districts declined to endorse that application. It also drew support from only five local teachers unions.
Both applications link teacher pay to student achievement gains. The new version says the state will collaborate with unions and other stakeholders to develop a “fair and transparent growth model” rather than one dictated from Tallahassee.
