Nebraska Department of EducationDr. Roger D. Breed, Commissioner

May 17, 2010

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Race to the TopPurpose

To encourage and reward states implementing comprehensive reform across four key reform areas

Goalsdrive substantial gains in student achievementimprove high school graduation and college

enrollmentnarrow achievement gaps

Competitive Grants to States - $3.4 billionPhase 2 grants due June 1, 2010Awards made September, 2010

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Bright Futures for Nebraska StudentsEstablishes a plan for Nebraska’s education

system in the future Enables the State to meet the four school

reform assurancesServes as an application for federal funds to

support our effortsSets a course for the state response to

student and school district learning needs

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Nebraska Students in the FutureAll students shall have opportunities to learn

thatbegin in early childhoodprepare them to be college and career readysupport improved graduation rates raise achievement while closing gapsare equitable regardless of zip code

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Nebraska Teachers/Principalsin the FutureAll teachers and principals

are well prepared and mentored upon entering the profession

are supported throughout their careers with professional growth and development

meet high standards used for ongoing evaluations including measures of effectiveness

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Nebraska Districts in the FutureAll districts

have a continuous improvement process for accreditation that is research-based, built on standards, and focused on student learning

assign effective teachers/principals according to student needs

have access to high quality data to improve instruction

provide supportive and caring environments through family and community engagement

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Nebraska Schools in the FutureAll schools

employ effective principals and teachersdemonstrate high expectations for all studentsoffer a rigorous curriculum aligned to 21st

century standards and assessmentsprovide access and use technology to support

student and staff learningreceive intervention and support as needed

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Bright Futures for Nebraska Students Goals

Higher levels of achievement for Nebraska public school students

Dramatic reduction of achievement gapsIncrease high school graduation ratesIncrease college going rates

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How do we get there?Collaborative effort and united support from

Governor, Legislature and State Board of Education

School districtsPolicy partnersEducational Service UnitsPostsecondary educationFederal comprehensive centers and regional labsParents and communitiesNebraska Department of Education and U.S.

Department of Education9

RTTT2 ComponentsRigorous standards and balanced

assessmentsEffective teachers and principalsAccurate and appropriate use of data for

informed instruction and decisionsSupport and intervention for low performing

schoolsExpansion of early childhood opportunitiesEquitable access to rigorous STEM

curriculum10

Standards/AssessmentsAdopt the common core standards

work with national groupsclose match with Nebraska’s revised standards

Collaborate with other states in a consortia to develop assessments for the common core standards

Provide training in unpacking standards and aligning curriculum

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Nebraska Virtual School:STEM AcademyProvide a statewide approach to increasing

STEM capability and college and career readiness

Create equal access to a complete high-quality, rigorous STEM curriculum instructed by highly effective teachers

Establish a caring and supportive learning environment for students including tutors and local learning coaches/mentors

continued . . .12

Assist schools in meeting increased graduation requirements

Collaborate with educators to implement professional development for local school teachers in STEM knowledge and pedagogy

Nebraska Virtual School:STEM Academy (continued)

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Effective Teachers/PrincipalsDevelop teacher/principal standards Develop and implement a statewide

teacher/principal evaluation system based in part on instructional outcomes

Support induction and mentoring programs for beginning teachers /principals

Provide continuous professional developmentImplement teacher/principal performance-defined

certification renewalProvide support and accountability for

teacher/administrator preparation programs

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Data Systems• SFSF: Implement assurances and America

COMPETES Act elements:• Building the PK-postsecondary data system• Linking teachers to courses to classes to students• Providing growth data and teacher impact data

(future)• RTTT Application:

• Provides dashboards to access improvement data• Provides training and support for instructional

use of data• Expands the data steward and staff development

network

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Low-Performing SchoolsSFSF: Identify the Persistently Lowest-

Achieving Schools (PLAS)RTTT Application:

Provides state level leadership, support, and technical assistance

Provides support and resources for districts to serve and turnaround their identified schools

Supports an intervention model that does not require replacing the principal

Expands professional development on identifying and implementing research-based, evidenced-based, and/or promising practices

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Early Childhood OpportunitiesExpand opportunity for professional

development and technical assistance (effective curriculum, assessment, family engagement, program quality, effective teachers/leaders)

Support partnerships and technical assistance to enhance quality in community- and school-based programs for PLAS and high poverty districts

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Nebraska Race to the Top plan supports all districts and their schools in continuously improving student performance.

Standards &Assessments

Adopt the Common Core

Implement a balanced assessment system

Use a Nebraska virtual school to increase access to rigorous

instructional opportunities in STEM

T&L Effectiveness

Provide statewide educator evaluation

Provide statewide professional development

Prepare teacher and principal preparation

and accountability

Establish performance-defined certificate

renewal

School Turn-Around

Identify all struggling schools

Support small state schools

transformation intervention model

Expand professional development support

Data Systems/Use

Improve the use of data to support

Instruction

Provide access to data for key stakeholders

The state's proposal features:

Nebraska's Race to the Top Proposal

Create placement incentives &

ongoing support

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Memorandum of UnderstandingNOTE! Several RTTT initiatives are either required under SFSF or may be required under revised ESEA

All districts will be invited to support the State’s application by signing a MOU

State gains points in the competitive application for MOU signed by Superintendents, School Board Presidents and Teacher Union representative

ONLY districts that submit a signed MOU are considered to be participating and can apply for funds

Letters of Support

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Participating District RTTT FundsOptions among identified activities

Support for standards and aligning curriculumNebraska Virtual School STEM AcademyImprove use of data to support instructionData stewards and other support for data systemsProvide access to data for key stakeholdersSupport for professional growth and developmentInduction/mentoring programs for beginning

teachers/principalscontinued . . .

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Participating District RTTT Funds (continued)

Assistance with implementing teacher/principal evaluation processes

Assistance with recruiting, hiring, training, and retaining highly effective teachers/principals

Support for turning around persistently lowest achieving schools

Expanded learning timeImplement identified research-based,

evidence-based and/or promising practicesEmploy early childhood specialist 21

Bright Futures for Nebraska Students RTTT2Nebraska can apply for up to $75 millionOne-half ($37.5 million) will go to

participating districtsDistributed through the Title I formula Application will be online in the grants

management systemSchool districts will have 90 days after Race

to the Top funds are awarded to specify participation

Phase 2 application due June 1Awards made September, 2010

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