Florida is applying for Race to the top Funds. Race to the Top is a competitive grant program from the federal government designed to reward states that are leading the way on education reforms that are new and innovative. Florida’s application is being spearheaded by Governor Rick Scott, a move that is a significant reversal [...]
A group of 30 research universities nationwide are partnering together to help spread broadband to the areas around their campuses. The project is called Gig.U and will bring 1Gbps access to localities around each school. The group hopes that by providing this access they’ll be able to increase economic development and attract start-ups to their [...]
Indiana will be changing the way teachers are evaluated and paid. Under a Senate bill signed on Friday, Indiana will now include teacher effectiveness benchmarks in its hiring, salary and promotions decisions. The bill is the first of Governor Mitch Daniels broad education reform agenda to pass both chambers and be signed into law.
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is proposing a sweeping education reform package focused on technology. According to a statement, the Governor aims to put more focus on the needs of students as individuals as a means of improving overall performance. Currently, Michigan ranks 21st in the country for spending per-pupil but ranks in the mid-thirties for [...]
Delaware is reforming how new teachers will get hired under a new law the Governor signed yesterday. The new bill changes an existing rule on how offers are made to teachers. Previously, districts were not guaranteed their full share of state funding for teacher salaries until the official September 30th student count was issued by [...]
Georgia is launching a $19.4 million education innovation fund to award grants to partnerships between local education entities businesses and nonprofit organizations that develop innovative programs for students. The fund was created with the help of a federal grant awarded through Georgia’s Race to the Top (RT3) plan. The Innovation Fund will provide competitive grants [...]
Indiana is one step closer to having the nation’s most broad based school voucher program. The bill that passed the state House of Representatives, creates a new voucher program for low and middle income families. Under the terms of the bill, vouchers will be allotted on a sliding scale based on income. The voucher program [...]
Massachusetts is awarding $350,000 to accelerate the planning process for 26 potential new Innovation Schools across the Commonwealth. Local superintendents, school committee members and union leaders, have already approved the initial plans for these schools and the grants will be used to develop innovation plans to be presented to local school committees for final approval. [...]
Iowa Governor Terry E. Branstad has launched a blog designed to highlight his education agenda. The blog, will be maintained by Branstad’s special assistant for education, Linda Fandel. According to the blog, the Branstad administration hopes that they can have a “conversation about how Iowa schools can once again be the envy of the nation, [...]
The National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices, Innovate + Educate, has designated Massachusetts as the national model for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education initiatives. Massachusetts STEM Council will work with Innovate + Educate on best practices for STEM education initiatives nationwide.
