Here’s a DFER update on what’s going on around the country as states races to compete for RTTT funds:

Buckle up your seatbelts, there's turbulence ahead as approach Memorial Day Weekend and the deadline for Round 2 of RTTT. Despite naysayers who continue to insist that the 'Race To The Top' hasn't done all that much to promote President Obama's progressive agenda of change for public education, we're seeing red hot reform action from coast to coast, the likes of which this nation has never seen.

Special thanks to Charlie Barone, DFER's federal policy guru, spiritual advisor, and occasional disc jockey, for keeping such close tabs. Charlie stays on top of all the legislation so that you don't have to!

In addition to big news about the landmark teacher evaluation and tenure law in Colorado covered in our previous email, there is a deal in Central Falls that may help the state win support, or at least less active opposition, from teachers unions, exciting but largely under-the-radar action in Oklahoma, and lots of end of session jockeying in states like Kentucky and West Virginia. Plus the usual Arizona and Texas nonsense and more…

State Intents to File. Thirty-eight states have sent notice to the U.S. Department of Education that they intend to apply for Race to the Top Round 2: AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, UT, WA, WV, WI.