Romero's Race to the Top bill gathers widespread support

From Sen. Romero's desk:

Sen. Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, today released a list of widespread support for the Senate's Race to the Top legislation, SB X5 1, which she authored.  

The comprehensive and bipartisan bill, containing reforms necessary for California to be eligible and competitive for the federal Race to the Top grants.

The bill, which passed the State Senate on Nov. 4, will next be heard in the Assembly Education Committee on Dec. 9.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called a Fifth Extraordinary Session on education in August to focus on California's response to the federal Race to the Top Fund eligibility requirements. 

Race to the Top will provide $4.35 billion in competitive grants to encourage and reward states that create the conditions for education innovation and reform.  California could receive between $350 million to as much as $700 million if it's application is deemed competitive by the federal government.

SBX5 1 provides for turning around historically low-achieving schools, using data to improve instruction and student performance, removes the state's cap on the number of charter schools, authorizes open enrollment for students in low-performing schools, and requires the state to develop a plan to implement reforms that will make California competitive for a Race to the Top grant.  

Moreover, the bill puts California in compliance with the federal requirements for a Race to the Top grant and requires the state to apply for a Phase 1 grant.

Since September, Romero has held informational hearings on the legislation and the Race to the Top in Sacramento, San Diego, San Jose  and Los Angeles.

More resources and information are available at Senator Romero's Race to the Top Web page.

Supporter Organizations Include:

-      A Plus- The Association of Personalized Learning Schools & Services

-      Alliance College-Ready Public Schools

-      Alliance for a Better Community

-      California State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

-      California Business for Education Excellence

-      California State NAACP

-      Central City Association of Los Angeles

-      Central city Administrators

-      CHARO Community Development Corporation

-      Children NOW

-      Contra Costa council/Contra Costa Economic Partnership

-      County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors

-      County of Los Angeles Sheriff's Department

-      EdVoice

-      Families in Schools

-      Greater Santa Ana Business Alliance

-      Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce

-      LA Education Partnership

-      Ledford Enterprises

-      Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

-      Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

-      Los Angeles County Office of Education

-      Orange County Business Council

-      Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE)

-      San Diego East County Economic Development

-      San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce

-      San Diego County Office of Education

-      San Francisco Chamber of Commerce

-      Sweetwater Union High School District, Office of the Board of Trustees

-      Valley Industrial and Commerce Association

-      Youth Policy Institute

Supporter Individuals Include:

-      Dan Hom, Focuscom Inc.

-      Ramon Cortines, Superintendent, Los Angles Unified School District

-      Barbara Ryan, Member of the Santee Board of Education

-      Clovis Unified School District- Superintendent's Office

-      Fresno County Office of Education- Superintendent's Office

-      Fresno Unified School District-Superintendent's Office

-      Jordan Brandman, Trustee of the Anaheim Union High School District

-      Lakeside Union School District- Superintendent's Office

-      Long Beach Unified School District- Superintendent's Office

-      Los Angeles Unified School District, Superintendent's Office

-      Mayor of the City of Fresno

-      Mayor of the City of Sacramento

-      Mayor of the City of San Jose

-      Napa County Office of Education- Superintendent's Office

-      Orange County Department of Education- Superintendent's Office

-      Vista Unified School District- Superintendent's Office

-      Walnut Valley Unified School District- Superintendent's Office