Why Kentucky Lost Race to the Top Funds

Rep. Brad Montell has written an op-ed on why Kentucky lost out on the second round of the Race to the Top grant: it's our lack of charter schools:

In an interview with the Lexington Herald-Leader shortly after learning Kentucky once again was not selected for ‘Race to the Top’ Federal funding, Education Commissioner Terry Holliday said that he quote “…called around (to) a few folks, and it looks like we would have been in the money if we had (charter schools).”

Indeed Kentucky once again finished out of the running in the second round of ‘Race to the Top’ funding for schools, only getting 412 of a possible 500 points and losing to surrounding states like Ohio, North Carolina, Georgia and Maryland. Those states scored 32 points on their assessment simply because they allow public charter schools. Kentucky currently doesn’t allow for public charter schools, meaning our score was ‘zero.’

I’ve filed legislation several times, including the 2010 Regular Session of the General Assembly, seeking to add Kentucky to the other 40 states and Puerto Rico that have passed charter school legislation. But sadly the voices of those who support charter school legislation went unheard as the House Education Committee chose not to call the bill for a hearing.

While we sit on our hands, other states that receive ‘Race to the Top’ funding continue to pass us by, meaning our children and our education system ultimately suffer. While Kentucky sits in the slow lane, between 300 and 400 charter schools open each year in the 40 states and Puerto Rico where charter schools are allowed by law.

In his response to the loss of funding, Gov. Beshear said he is confident that the steps Kentucky is taking will significantly improve the education experience for our students. Until we pass public charter schools legislation in the Commonwealth, our children and our educational system will remain stuck in neutral.

Rep. Brad Montell (R)-Shelbyville is a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives