CFT President Marty Hittelman interviewed by reporter, and giving testimony at the State Senate hearing on "Race to the Top" funding. Steve Hopcraft photos

August 26, 2009—California Federation of Teachers President Marty Hittelman told a State Senate hearing today that the Obama administration’s “Race to the Top” criteria are the wrong ways to improve struggling California schools.  The Governor’s rush to change California’s education practices to meet these arbitrary guidelines is familiar; he has failed to convince educators, legislators and the public to make such changes before.  Compared to cuts of more than $15 billion to California public education in the past two years, “Race to the Top” involves a relatively small amount of funding, and should not be used as an excuse to implement wrongheaded “reform” agendas.

“The CFT is committed to improving struggling schools. But reforms must be evidence-based. We believe that the so-called reforms mandated by this proposal are narrow, rigid and ignore more important research-based reforms. CFT affiliates have collaborated with local school districts and other partners to address the problems of struggling schools. Based on our experience, we know there are reforms that work: standards-based, common curricula, and assessments based on them that use multiple sources; student data based on such a comprehensive approach, rather than on one high stakes test; smaller class sizes; Peer Assistance and Review; school-wide discipline policies; same student populations in redesigned schools, and site-based management with meaningful participation by stakeholders,” said Hittelman. “These are the reforms that the federal government should focus upon.”

Click here for press release excerpting Hittelman's comments.  For the full text of Hittelman's letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, click here.