The Octorara Area School District has joined the School District of Lancaster in signing memorandums of understanding to participate in the PSEA/NEA Race to the Top School Improvement Program.
Octorara's school board held an executive session Jan. 11 prior to approving participation. Superintendent Tom Newcome said the executive session was necessary because some of the program's requirements deal with teacher contract issues such as incentive pay increases. Participation was approved by both the Octorara Area Education Association and the school board.
According to a Jan. 19 Intelligencer Journal story, Race to the Top has four major goals: enhancing academic standards and assessments; creating and using data to improve instruction; increasing the effectiveness of teachers and school administrators; and improving struggling schools.
Pennsylvania is competing with other states for federal funding, which officials estimate could reach $200 to $400 million for Pennsylvania schools.
At least half the grants would go directly to participating districts. The state would use the remainder for statewide reforms.
According to the Intelligencer Journal, Octorara and Lancaster are the only two out of the 17 Lancaster County school districts to participate. To read about reservations expressed by officials from other local districts, read the article at www.lancasteronline.com.