Nanuet To Review Race To The Top

Nanuet School Superintendent Dr. Mark McNeill announced last week the Student Data Dashboard, which is part of the Race to the Top Program, will be discussed at Tuesday night’s board meeting.

Student information contained in the dashboard has raised concerns among parents and educators.  Dr. McNeill explained in an online letter to parents, why he felt the discussion was necessary.

“The presentation will include an explanation of how data are currently collected and reported, the changes proposed by New York State, and how a district’s choice of “opting in” or “opting out” will impact access to data by parents, the school district and the state.

This session is being held because we recognize that there is currently a great deal of confusion surrounding this issue, and it is important that parents, faculty and community members have clear information about the state’s initiative. There will be an opportunity for questions and the information provided at the meeting will be made available on the District’s web site for those unable to attend.”

The complete text of his letter is available here. 

The Race to the Top is a federal grant program funded in 2009. Information on the data dashboard can be found on the New York State Education Department’s website for the EngageNY Portal at: www.engageny.org/portal.

Last week Pearl River Board of Education trustees voted last week to withdraw from the Race to the Top. Its superintendent, who recommended the district opt out of the program, said in the past, the district had sent its data to a regional information center, which then sent it to the state education department but now the regional center will forward the data to a private company. Read more about the Pearl River school board’s action here.

The Clarkstown Board of Education has scheduled a discussion on the issue for its meeting next week. 

The Nanuet School Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. at Nanuet High School.