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On Monday January 4, the beginning of 2010’s first week, Governor Granholm signed a package of legislation commonly referred to as Race To The Top, or RTTT, as its acronym is known. While all the details certainly still need to be worked out, this legislation has the potential to have an enormously positive impact in our schools. If you wish to see a summary of the RTTT click here: Much of it is modeled after sweeping reforms that U. S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, used in "reimagining" schools in Chicago while he was that city's chief executive officer. School District personnel will anxiously await the full meaning of the legislation. Undoubtedly, there will be major adjustments in the way we educate kids. Certainly, there is some trepidation in the ranks. Change is hard. Many of us, including myself, who have been in education for decades, will have to move out of our comfort zones. But this is the way it needs to be. We know more about how students learn and how to effectively instruct than ever before. Hopefully, this legislation will spur innovation and move schools in Michigan to, once again, regain our place as world leaders. I must give the legislature, the Governor, and the State Superintendent credit. These reforms were the result of bipartisan effort and had to be done immediately in order to position the State to receive hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grant money.-Money we sorely need. I believe this legislation will mark the beginning of significant, important changes in Michigan education. There, undoubtedly, will be bumps along the way -and learning to embrace a new way of operating will not be easy. However, I think it necessary for us, not only to economically survive, but to educate and enable our children to be competitive, 21st Century citizens . Sincerely, Mark R. Dobias, Superintendent |