CH-UH Schools Receive Race to the Top Money

February 9, 2011

The “Race to the Top” program, part of President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plan, rewards states for taking up ambitious changes to improve schools. Ohio received $400 million dollars, half of which will be directly distributed to the 538 districts and charter schools who pledged their support; Cleveland Heights-University Heights is one of those districts. Over the next four years, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District is expected to receive $1.2 million dollars; $195,000 in the first year (starting in February), $362,000 in year two, $439,000 in year 3, and $283,000 in year 4.

“These resources will allow us to accelerate the implementation of the district’s vision of Preparing all Student for Success in a Global Economy (PASSAGE), while meeting the requirements of a new generation of academic standards,” Superintendent Douglas Heuer stated. “We are truly grateful to have been selected, especially now that we have to anticipate 15-20% in state funding cuts.”    

According to Dr. Joseph Micheller, Director of Special Programs and Compliance, by 2014 the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District will have completed the foundational work that will provide generations of students with a world class, 21^st Century education. 

Year 1     February-June, 2011    $195,235

Year 1 is primarily a 6-month preparation year, building the foundation for years 2, 3, and 4.   The major activities in year 1 are:

• Purchase and implement an assessment management system that will provide all classroom teachers with diagnostic information at their fingertips.  State, district, and classroom assessments will be integrated into one system, providing teachers up-to-date diagnostic tools.
• Design a training program, to be implemented in 2011-12, for teachers to be able to effectively use the new assessment management system.
• Curriculum teams:
  • Will become familiar with the new state and national standards in English/language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.
  • Will analyze curriculum to determine what will need to be changed to align instruction to the new standards.
  • Will design professional development to assist teachers in understanding the new standards.

“With the new assessment system, teachers will have student performance information at their fingertips in the same way that doctors have test results to determine appropriate treatments.  Teachers will be able to better accelerate learning for those who are ready, while helping others learn what they may not have understood earlier,” Micheller stated.