Miami Herald: 63 of 67 school districts OK Fla. grant application
Dec 22, 2009
The Miami Herald published this article on December 18, 2009.
The Associated Press
Education Commissioner Eric Smith says 63 of Florida’s 67 school districts have endorsed the state’s application for up to $700 million in federal grant money.
Smith made the announcement Friday.
The Florida Education Association, the statewide teachers union, opposes the proposal that would require school districts to adopt merit pay plans as a condition for receiving grant money.
If Florida’s application is approved in April school districts then would have 90 days to reach agreement with their local unions on a merit pay plan – at least half of which must be based on student test scores.
Those that are unable to get such agreements would not receive Race to the Top dollars.