Schools

Bridgewater to Receive $19K in Race to the Top Funds

The money is contingent on complying with certain criteria.

The is one among a total of 372 New Jersey school districts eligible for $19 million in Race to the Top grant funds, according to the state Department of Education.

Bridgewater-Raritan is expected to receive $19,320, but that is contingent on the district agreeing to participate in portions of the state’s Race to the Top plan.

According to a release from the DOE, New Jersey was awarded about $38 million in December as part of the US Department of Education's Race to the Top 3 competition. Half of that is being split among participating districts, of which Bridgewater-Raritan is listed as one.

Find out what's happening in Bridgewaterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

New Jersey, the release said, has selected four different objectives to be used in line with the administration's education reform agenda. They are:

  • Developing model curriculum and assessments for all core content subject areas to support the adoption of the Common Core State Standards.
  • Developing and rolling out an online Instructional Improvement System to serve as a platform for teachers to assess the curriculum in addition to other supports.
  • Implementing the state's new teacher evaluation system and creating a principal evaluation pilot program.
  • Expanding high-quality school options by strengthening the department's charter authorizing practices.

“We are glad to see that so many districts and charter schools have signed up to participate in the state’s reform agenda,” said acting commissioner Chris Cerf in the release. “These funds can be used for a number of purposes that will support student learning such as training for teachers on the new teacher evaluation system and the implementation of the Common Core State Standards.”

Find out what's happening in Bridgewaterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Districts interested in the funds were required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding by Feb. 17, though they are legally entitled to withdraw from the Race to the Top plans, according to the DOE. Grants were awarded based on a district’s typical share of Title I education funding.

By withdrawing, a district would forfeit its Race to the Top funds.

Superintendent of Schools Michael Schilder did not return a request for comment on the district's involvement in the program.


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