January 10, 2010
LANSING - A preliminary count shows that the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has received 703 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) from local school districts and charter schools to participate in the state's federal Race To The Top application.
"I am pleased that so many Michigan school districts are ready to move Michigan forward," said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. "For the most part, these are local superintendents and school boards committed to doing what is right for their kids and stepping up to this challenge."
Flanagan also acknowledged the 41 local teacher union presidents around the state who signed on to their districts' MOUs.
"We want teachers to know that Michigan's Race To The Top plan will bring greater opportunity to improve their profession and recognize their important work," Flanagan said.
Local districts had to submit MOUs to the state by Friday evening, showing their support of the state's Race To The Top application, in order to participate in this $4.3 billion federal education reform initiative.
MDE staff still are sorting through the hundreds of MOUs submitted Friday. Because districts could either send their MOUs directly to MDE, or through their intermediate school districts, MDE staff will have to check to see if some districts may have done both.
The U.S. Department of Education required states to show local support of its application through the MOUs. The more districts showing support for the application, the greater the state's chances to receive one of the competitive Race To The Top grants.
In addition to the over 700 signed MOUs, 98 districts submitted Messages of Intent that allowed them to show initial support for the state's plan, while giving them until Tuesday, January 12 to submit a signed MOU.
The state must submit its Race To The Top application to the U.S. Department of Education by Tuesday, January 19.
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