VILLARAIGOSA JOINS 8 MAYORS TO PRESS FOR RACE TO THE TOP BILL

from The Associated Press

Dec. 29, 2009  -- SACRAMENTO — The mayors of California's biggest cities are urging Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers to meet a fast-approaching deadline to compete for federal education funds.

The mayors of Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Sacramento released a joint letter on the issue Tuesday. They were joined by the mayors of San Jose, Fresno, Long Beach, Santa Ana and Anaheim.

The mayors are asking state leaders to pass a bill that would allow California to compete for a share of $4.3 billion in education reform funding. The competition — known as "Race to the Top" — was set up by the Obama administration to improve schools.

California has three weeks left to qualify for the competition. Lawmakers have indicated they plan to take up the measure in the new year.

 

●●smf’s 2¢: It’s interesting to note how enthusiastic the mayors of those cities are for RttT – and how unenthusiastic most school boards seem to be.