The 2010 Legislative Session begins on Monday, January 11, 2010. Between now and then critical decisions will be made by Governor Gregoire, Superintendent Randy Dorn, State Board of Education President Mary Jean Ryan, leaders of our teaching community and legislative leaders about the scale and scope of the legislation necessary for Race to the Top to be successful.

The goal is a deep sense of unity around our larger goals, and thus a strong ‘consensus bill’ that is crafted by various stakeholders in a collaborative fashion. Of course consensus is not always possible in a political world. I maintain hope that we can make it happen on this issue, this year. Now.

The Race to the Top competition is not just about money, of course, it is are about our deeper sense of conviction and commitment to education reform. And change. The competition for federal dollars is simply the additional incentive and motivation during these very serious financial times times, but the cause and purpose are children in the classroom.

The inside baseball game is in full swing.

It looks like we’ll be eligible for a total of about $200 million to $250 million if we do it right, but that’s over four years so we’re looking at about $60 million a year to support education improvement in targeted ways. It’s important and it’s real, but it’s not anywhere near a complete answer or a comprehensive long term strategy for funding education. For that we must all work together to build a coalition and stronger commitment to education funding in a systemic fashion.

Under the Obama criteria there are a total of 500 points possible. If you look at our laws, agreements and procedures today the estimate is that we currently have about 112-137 points. And, while we have a long way to go, we are on the cusp of being able to make substantial progress if the legislation is written and passed in time for round two in June. Now is the time, this is the year, this is the legislation that we must pass.

So what’s in the bill to fill the gap between 137 and 500? That’s the question. Its’ changing by the day as folks negotiate and consider how best to push, prod and agitate for education improvement in a way that makes us eligible for substantial Race to the Top funds. We don’t even have a bill to provide to you yet.

Here are the major categories:

The 500 are broken down as follows: 125 possible from State Success Factors (such as demonstrating success in improving student outcomes); 70 possible points from Standards and Assessments; 47 for data systems (to track kids and instructors); 138 for Great Teachers and Leaders; 50 for Turning Around Lowest Achieving Schools; 55 for General (such as ensuring successful conditions for high-achieving charter schools and other innovative schools); 15 for Competitive Preference Priority (such as an emphasis on STEM).

An objective policy analysis that I reviewed suggested that we could realistically be on track to reach a total point score of 426-443 points if we move forward with a very strong bill. The single largest category where the gap between the 500 and 426-443 predicted score exists is in the area of charter schools or innovation, where we are likely to lose about 32 points if no action is taken. A number of other areas account for the remaining potential gap.

One important point is that we need local districts as well as the state to fully engage and join in this cause in order to maximize our chances and value. Their cause becomes points, too. For example, it is clear that Seattle Public School District’s current policy of granting tenure to principals is on the wrong side of President Obama, the state and our city’s cause. It was once an inconvenience and, frankly, embarrassment. Now it’s hurting us.

So if we are trying to draft a bold, comprehensive bill to push forward with education reform and make us eligible for Race to the Top funds, it will need to specifically add value in each of these areas and add up to real points.

While I am nervously excited about pulling this off together, I believe heart and soul that the only thing stopping us from courageously tackling this opportunity is desire and will. The barriers to reaching 500 points or close to it–and creating a stronger foundation on last year’s education reform efforts in HB 2261–are only in our minds and in our political calculations. Are we willing to do all we can, on every issue, to try and reach this milestone together?

We can craft, introduce, debate and pass comprehensive legislation that will move us from the back of the bus in this important competition to the front.

Our task is to take a stand together and connect the inside baseball game with outside community organizing.

Race to the Top website: www.recovery.wa.gov/rttt/default.asp.

Yes we can. Organize, organize, organize.

Your partner in service,

Reuven.