By SHAWNA ARNOLD
Special to The North Kingstown Standard-Times

EXETER-WEST GREENWICH -  The Exeter West Greenwich (EWG) School Committee voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve the district’s participation in the Race to the Top grant.
The grant will help to improve curriculum development within the district. The grant program will work with the Rhode Island Department of Education’s (RIDE) Basic Education Planning and Strategic Plan to develop curriculums and standards in order to provide better education for students.
After the program is complete, schools may get financial aid for implementation of program improvements, depending on need.
Chairperson Susan DeSack pointed out that regardless of whether or not the EWG school district receives money, the program will still hold a huge benefit.
She added that the money is not the important part; getting the knowledge and ideas in regard to curriculum and education development is what is important about the program.
There will be more information about Race to the Top presented at the next school committee meeting on Jan. 12 at 7 p.m.
  It is anticipated that the committee members and administration will sign a memorandum of understanding before seeing the final document.

By LINDSAY OLIVIER
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NORTH KINGSTOWN – School districts around the state have been given the opportunity to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU), to be included in the Race to the Top Grants. In a six to zero vote, the school committee approved to be included. Committee member Douglas Roth was absent.
The only caveat was that  committee members and administration had to sign the MOU before seeing the final document. However, school districts will be able to view that on Tuesday and if they feel it would not benefit their district, they can opt out, no questions asked.
Through this grant, the United States Department of Education is asking states to “advance reforms” around the following four specific areas:
1. Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college, the workplace and to compete in the global economy;
2. Building data systems that measure student growth and success, and inform teachers and principals about how they can improve instruction;
3. Recruiting, developing, rewarding and retaining effective teachers and principals; especially where they are needed most; and
4. Turning around our lowest-achieving schools.
This is the first phase of the grant program and in March 2011, the second phase will begin.