IN SUPPORT OF DISTRICT LEVEL RACE TO THE TOP

WHEREAS, today’s students are the future of the United States, and that future is dependent on the decisions leaders make today about their education; and

WHEREAS, national and local leaders must continue to make necessary investments in quality education and take advantage of every opportunity to provide top-quality education to every student; and

WHEREAS, much of the nation’s innovative education reform is happening in local school districts, where local leaders, administrators and teachers see firsthand and react to the specific needs and challenges of their students; and

WHEREAS, it is important to acknowledge the difference between states, which largely set general policy for a diverse set of students, and school districts that have to implement those policies; and

WHEREAS, realizing that district and state needs are different, it is essential to devise criteria that will enable districts to make the necessary reforms that Congress and the United States Department of Education has worked to enact; and

WHEREAS, noting that the needs of cities and states vary significantly, future rounds of the Race to the Top grant program should be directed to districts, where educators know best how to implement specific reform; and 

WHEREAS, numerous school districts were encouraged that Education Secretary Arne Duncan has announced that the next round of the Race to the Top grant program would include a district-level competition; and

WHEREAS, many mayors and district leaders applaud Secretary Duncan’s commitment to district level efforts, which will be an important catalyst to further and support local reforms; and

WHEREAS, by focusing district-level Race to the Top on implementation rather than just policy change, the grant will maximize the ability of districts to have direct and immediate impact on schools and classrooms.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports this round of Race to the Top grants directed to local school districts; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors urges the United States Department of Education and the United States Congress to direct a significant portion of future rounds of Race to the Top to school districts.