Both Democats and Republicans Cheering Race to the Top Funds

More politicians from both sides of the aisle are weighing in on Florida being named one of the 10 winners of the U.S. Department of Educations Race to the Top funds.

Today's Race to the Top announcement is a significant victory not only for Floridas students and hardworking teachers, but for all Floridians, said Rep. John Legg, R-Port Richey. Florida has been a leader in bold and innovative education reform with its system of accountability, outstanding data systems, and more recently with its increased standards and end-of-course assessments. The Race to the Top initiative will assist Florida with the tools it needs to take Floridas education system to the next level, to compete not only nationally but internationally.

Floridas demonstrated reform history over the last decade, and nationally acclaimed progress in student achievement, has helped us to secure phase two RTT funding, added Legg. Adopting more rigorous internationally-benchmarked curriculum standards, increasing high school academic course requirements, continuing improvements to our student assessment program, revamping the way we grade high schools to include graduation rates and participation in accelerated courses, providing rewards to schools and teachers for improved student performance, and implementing a differentiated accountability system for struggling schools are just a few of the ways Florida has already demonstrated its dedication to excellence in education.

The Race to the Top Grant will assist Florida in continuing to focus on increasing student achievement, decreasing achievement gaps, and increasing high school graduation rates and college enrollment, and rewarding those who help us achieve our goals, concluded Legg. We are proud and honored to have been selected and look forward to meeting the challenges ahead.

State CFO Alex Sink, who is expected to win the Democratic gubernatorial primary on Tuesday, also praised the announcement.

Todays announcement of these much-needed education resources is welcome news, and shows what can be accomplished for Floridas students when all the stakeholders work in a truly collaborative way, said Sink. I have long said that without a stronger education system, Florida cannot build a more prosperous economy, and I am pleased that all parties involved were able to come together to win this funding.

I am encouraged by this announcement, and I urge the federal government to make sure Florida receives its appropriate share of the grant funding, added Sink. However, there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done to be sure all of our children are getting the quality of education they deserve.