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USDOE’s rules for its RttT application reviewers required that they only look at the SEAs’ applications and not outside information. Thus the reviewers were ignorant about our current whopping NYSED testing scandal. NYSED didn’t update its RttT application with the truth. Similarly, the new Schott Foundation report on black male graduation rates and the gaps between them and other groups reports that:
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20100824/NEWS01/8240316/1003/Rochester-has-one-of-the-lowest-black-male-grad-rates-in-U.S.

Rochester has one of the lowest black male grad rates in U.S. … and

New York came in last among states, with 25 percent of young black men finishing high school compared to 68 percent of white male students. New York had the largest gap between black and white male students in the country.
State rankings

These are the 10 lowest-performing states for black male students.
New York: 25 percent graduation for black male students vs. 68 percent for white male students.
Florida: 37 percent vs. 57 percent.
South Carolina: 39 percent vs. 58 percent.
Louisiana: 39 percent vs. 59 percent.
Nebraska: 40 percent vs. 83 percent.
Ohio: 41 percent vs. 78 percent.
District of Columbia: 41 percent vs. 57 percent.
Indiana: 42 percent vs. 71 percent.
Alabama: 42 percent vs. 60 percent.
Georgia: 43 percent vs. 62 percent.
Source: Schott Foundation for Public Education

Looks like NYSED is in good company – as long as you like the South. Duncan knew all about this report before the awards were publicized today even if his RttT reviewers did not. I think it’s fair to conclude that politics played a far greater role in this award than did reality, unmanipulated data and, of course, integrity.

No fear. In 3-4 years we’ll have NY’s NAEP and SAT scores showing the results of this largesse and … it’s pretty clear we’ll that there have been no significant improvements in NY’s non-manipulated metrics. In fact, I’m willing to bet on it.

I totally agree Michael. However, no one realizes the implications. A decade from now, we’ll be saying “I told you so” when it’s of course too late.

Patterson called it RttC?!?! That’s hysterical! Watch Tisch’s face when he says it.

It IS RttC, Race to the Crap.

What an embarrassment that on top of not knowing anything real about education nor attempting to truly solve problems, or at least get a bit closer to the bottom of them, they’ve made a GAME out of education reform. This is a disgraceful joke.

The fact that it has succeeded with its sick agenda in so many states is a testament to our corrupt and egoistic politicians and officials, including union leadership!

Oh, and this concept isn’t new. Contests, privatization, data. It’s as old as big business.