The New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association has an update on our Race To The Top application, due June 1st (32 days from now, but who’s counting). We came in 18th out of 40 states, not terrible, but not good enough to qualify as a finalist. Deputy Commissioner Willa Spicer explained to NJPSA that key changes from Round 1 will include: strengthening of our “curriculum and assessment spine,” development of a longitudinal data system (using Colorado’s as a model), and, most interesting, “legislative changes to bolster the application.” These would likely include bills that mandate links between student performance and teacher evaluation, authorization of a statewide performance evaluation system for teachers and principals, and merit pay, either at the level of schools buildings or individual educators. Rock on, Jersey!