So, about that Race To The Top grant...

Remember that Race To The Top grant that the HCPSS was going to apply for through the US Department of Education, that the HCEA refused to sign off upon, that the School Board voted to approve even though HCEA didn't sign off, that Brian Meshkin tried to do something on behalf of... what, isn't precisely clear?  The one that was due November 7?  That one?  Whatever happened to that one?

Imagine my interest when I read the following in today's Oakland Mills HS PTSA e-mail:

Please show your support for the Race to the Top District Grant 

The Howard County School System has applied for the Race to the Top District (RTT-D) grant from the federal government.  Separate from the original Race to the Top program, this grant is offered to support bold, locally directed improvements in teaching and learning.  Also unlike the Maryland Race to the Top grant, this grant offers significant funding for our county - $20 to $30 MILLION DOLLARS for new programs at 20 Howard County schools including OMHS.  

The HCPSS application was written specifically to personalize learning for students and teachers using technology, special services, professional teacher development and research-based practices to create meaningful connections between school, students, families and the world of work.  The OMHS PTSA Executive Board enthusiastically endorses this effort and we hope that you will join us in this endorsement by adding your own voice.  Please tell the Howard County Board of Education that you also endorse the RTT-D grant application.  The Board of Education can be reached via email at boe@hcpss.org or by sending a letter to 

Chairman, Board of Education
Howard County Public School System
10910 Route 108
Ellicott City, MD 21042

For more information on the RTT-D program and the HCPSS application, please visit the OMHS PTSA website at

https://sites.google.com/a/hcpss.me/omhs-ptsa ]https://sites.google.com/a/hcpss.me/omhs-ptsa

and follow the RTT-D link.  

Submit a letter to Columbia Flier: http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/howard/opinion-talk/letter-editor/submit-letter/

Submit a Letter to the Columbia Patch.com Editor: Andrew.Metcalf@patch.com 

 

Well, well, well.  Looks like the grant went in after all, on or before the November 7 deadline, without the HCEA signature.  And I had this information verified Wednesday afternoon.

I certainly encourage every red-blooded Howard Countian who cares about education in this county to take the supportive steps suggested in the blurb from the OMHS PTSA.  And I have to say, I commend the HCPSS for sticking with their convictions and not allowing the HCEA to hold a $30M grant hostage.

I'm kind of amazed that this fell off of the local media radar, honestly.  Unless I've been a block of ice for the last four weeks, and missed all the coverage, which I guess is possible!  Just not likely.

Comments

[Anon]

And we're going to soon have a new Board member that supports this sort of "hostage-taking."

[rolex replica]

I will support that,I like this

[louis vuitton taschen]

Wow, che era piuttosto interessante.

[chaussures nike free 3.0 v2]

Voy a apoyar eso, me gusta este

[casquette ralph lauren]

Usted tiene ciertamente algunas opiniones y puntos de vista agradables. Tu blog ofrece una mirada fresca a la subject.Have pensado en introducir algunos botones de marcadores sociales a estos blogs. Por lo menos para google.I realmente aprecio artículos en su sitio. Estás haciendo un buen trabajo! Muchas gracias.