Washington, DC, July 27, 2009 – The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) applauds the Administration’s effort to use the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, including the Race to the Top fund (RTTT), to support a coordinated and deep-seeded reform agenda. CCSSO supports the Department of Education's comprehensive approach to reform and looks forward to continuing to build a new state-federal partnership dedicated to achieving this important shared goal. Chief state school officers across the country believe that true reform is not just possible, but attainable and that significant federal investments like RTTT present an unprecedented opportunity.
The exemplary state reform efforts highlighted at the Department of Education by CCSSO Executive Director Gene Wilhoit include the innovative and powerful work already being done by states as part of the Common Core State Standards Initiative. Florida Commissioner of Education Eric Smith also spoke on the critical role of data in education reform. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan referred to education as the civil rights issue of our generation, and the partnership between states and the federal government clearly communicates our nation’s focus on increasing the educational opportunities for every student in the country.
“This partnership is based on a commitment to high standards and meaningful accountability,” stated CCSSO Executive Director Gene Wilhoit. “States are committed to leading in this new deal.”
The Council welcomes President Obama's strong endorsement of the Common Core State Standards Initiative, as he called upon the 46 states already involved to complete their work and encouraged the four remaining states to join the initiative being spearheaded by CCSSO and the NGA Center for Best Practices. The Secretary’s $350 million set aside of RTTT funds to develop improved assessments aligned to the common core is the necessary next step in the initiative. The Council echoes the Administration’s commitment to high standards and accountability and asks for increased federal investments like RTTT and the freedom to innovate towards those goals in exchange.
While CCSSO is supportive of efforts to link student performance to teacher data, the Council will continue to advocate on behalf of those states facing legislative restrictions to reform in this area.
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) is a nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues. The Council seeks members’ consensus on major educational issues and expresses their views to civic and professional organizations, federal agencies, Congress, and the public.
