TODAY: Education Reformer Demands Answers on Race to the Top

TODAY: Education Reformer Demands Answers on Race to the Top

Maryellen Butke, the executive director of Rhode Island Campaign for Achievement Now (RI-CAN), will be speaking at today's Senate confirmation hearing for four new Board of Regents appointees, after RI-CAN received no responses from them to its questionnaire about educational issues.

Butke’s testimony will be based on Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s statement in Education Week about the government taking back Race to the Top winnings from states that don’t follow through on promises and responsibilities.

“We are disappointed by the nominees failure to respond to basic questions on their education positions and Governor Chafee’s lack of support for transparency,” her testimony will read. “So now we ask the Senate to make sure that Rhode Islanders get the answers they deserve. We want to know whether the $75 million in Race to the Top money will be rescinded under their leadership or whether we will continue on the path to public school reform.”

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Butke will be addressing Rhode Island’s win of $75 million from Race to the Top and her disappointment in the lack of leadership from the Board of Regents nominees at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, March 1 in Room 211 of the Statehouse.