In a meeting with Gov. Bredesen on December 1, TEA President Earl Wiman agreed that TEA would work with the State of Tennessee in its efforts to develop a competitive application to win more than $400 million in Race to the Top funding to support bold education reform in Tennessee.

“The Race to the Top competition presents both opportunities and challenges for Tennessee schools and for the Association,” says Wiman. “We remain committed, as always, to identifying, developing and supporting effective teachers and leaders for every student in every classroom in Tennessee. TEA will be at the table to ensure the suggestions and concerns of teachers are addressed as innovative strategies are considered and implemented.”

TEA also recommends that local affiliate presidents sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which each school district’s director, board president and local association president must sign if the district wishes to participate in the state’s Race to the Top grant. At least 50 percent of the funds the state will receive, if approved for Race to the Top funding, must be shared with participating school districts. School districts that do not submit a signed MOU by December 15 will not be considered a participating district and will not share in the state’s Race to the Top grant, if funded.

TEA local affiliate presidents are encouraged to contact their TEA UniServ coordinator if they have questions about the state’s Race to the Top application or the MOU they are being asked to sign.