[CharterSchools] Carter Peterson goes to DC for Louisiana Race to Top

[charterschools at LACharter.org]

Louisiana Department of Education
Post Office Box 94064 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-9064 | 1-877-453-2721 

| Fax: (225) 342-0193


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 3/17/2010 
Contact: Rene' Greer, (225) 342-3600, Fax: (225) 342-0193 

LOUISIANA PRESENTS ITS CASE FOR RACE TO THE TOP; Senator Karen Carter 
Peterson one of Louisiana leaders presenting state's case

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Louisiana and 15 other finalists are vying for a share 
of the $4.35 billion federal Race to the Top (R2T) grant. Today a team of 
five education and policy leaders made the case for Louisiana's application in 
Washington. The R2T grant, which was authorized by the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act (ARRA), is designed to encourage states to implement 
dramatic reform initiatives. Only a handful of states are expected to receive 
grants when the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) announces state recipients 
for the first phase of the awards cycle. Louisiana is asking for $314 
million to boost and enrich reform strategies.
  
 Representing Louisiana were State Superintendent of Education Paul 
Pastorek, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Member Glenny Buquet, State 
Senator Karen Carter-Peterson, Recovery School District Superintendent Paul 
Vallas and Rayne Martin, who has been selected to lead the day-to-day 
operations of the state's R2T program should Louisiana receive the grant.
  
 "It was our chance to demonstrate our courage, commitment, and capacity to 
deliver on the ambitious and achievable goals outlined in Louisiana's 
application," Pastorek said. "We are honored and grateful to have a chance to 
further illuminate our vision and plan. This was an opportunity to share the 
story of how Louisiana, a state that has historically been last on many 
measures of public education, is pushing forward beyond our current challenges to 
implement real change that will dramatically improve public education for 
the children of Louisiana. Louisiana is recognized as a pioneer in education 
reform, but we need to enrich our activities and our pace of implementation. 
Race to the Top would give us the resources we need to do that, and our hope 
is that decision-makers recognize our progress and promise."
  
 Each state team was allowed to bring only five individuals to elaborate on 
their state's R2T proposal while participating in the 90-minute 
presentation and interview session. Finalists have already been scored on their 
applications, but the interview process aims to clarify and confirm the information 
each state presented. Pastorek said the selection of the team was 
challenging, given the deep investment of so many stakeholders who contributed and 
will continue to contribute to this effort.
  
 "Ultimately we selected the five people who we felt could articulate not 
only the specific details of our reform plan but the demonstrated, deep and 
long-term commitment of our state to make this happen," Pastorek explained. 
"Each individual brought unique expertise, experience and perspective to our 
presentation and each will play a pivotal role in implementing this plan."
  

     •      Senator Karen Carter-Peterson was recently elected to the State 
Senate. Prior to her election, Carter-Peterson served as a member of the 
Louisiana House of Representatives for ten years, where she served as Speaker 
Pro Tem and authored legislation to create the state's Recovery School 
District (RSD).
     •     BESE Member Glenny Lee Buquet (BESE District 3) has served on 
the state board since 1992. Buquet has played a crucial part in the state's 
reform initiatives, including serving as BESE President during the early years 
of the state's accountability program. She is chair of BESE's Quality 
Leaders/Educators Committee, Literacy and Numeracy Committee and serves on the 
state's Accountability Commission, High School Redesign Commission and chairs 
the state's Blue Ribbon Commission, which is studying a value-added 
compensation system.
     •     Paul Vallas has served as Superintendent of the RSD for the last 
two years, and is recognized nationally for his ability to lead dramatic 
improvement in large urban school districts as well as transforming failing 
schools. Prior to coming to New Orleans, Vallas served as Superintendent of 
the Philadelphia and Chicago public school systems.
     •     Rayne Martin has served as Chief of Staff of the RSD for the 
last three years. She will lead the state's R2T program as Reform Director. 
Prior to joining the RSD, Martin served as the Director of Relocation and 
Social Services for the Chicago Housing Authority, and has more than twelve years 
of experience leading reform in public service agencies. She is a native of 
Louisiana.

  
 State recipients will be announced the first week of April. For more 
information on Race to the Top and Louisiana's Reform Plan, please go to
www.louisianaschools.net



cheron brylski
the brylski company
3418 coliseum street
new orleans, louisiana 70115
(504) 897-6110
FX (504) 897-0778
cell (504) 460-1468
www.brylskicompany.com
.
  
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