Gubernatorial candidates sign letter supporting Race to Top

NASHVILLE -- All seven major Democratic and Republican gubernatorial candidates have signed a letter promising to support Tennessee's Race to the Top reform plan.

The state's two U.S. senators and nine congressmen also have written a letter supporting the state's application for $501.2 million in federal grants to pursue innovative education reforms.

Forty states are vying for the $4 billion in grants, which are being awarded competitively.

The four Republican and three Democratic gubernatorial candidates' joint letter was included in Tennessee's application in the Race to the Top competition.

"We're uniting to express our support for the Volunteer State in the Race to the Top competition for education innovation," the candidates said in the letter.

Republicans Bill Gibbons, Bill Haslam, Ron Ramsey and Zach Wamp signed the letter as did Democrats Jim Kyle, Kim McMillan and Mike McWherter.

"Should our state succeed in the competition, we will continue the focus on education and work tirelessly to implement the reforms necessary to transform our schools and offer our children a better future," the letter said.

In their letter to U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, the state's congressional delegation said, "In utilizing these federal funds, Tennessee seeks to capitalize on its assets -- a rich pool of data, a plan for revamped standards and assessments, increasing collaboration with high-tech firms and facilities, and an expanded charter school system."

The letter says Tennessee's proposal "builds upon these assets and will accelerate reforms necessary to support educational achievement and excellence."

U.S. Rep. Wamp also signed the congressional delegation letter.

State lawmakers last week approved major changes in the state's teacher tenure laws that Gov. Phil Bredesen, a Democrat, said were needed to help bolster the state's effort to win a grant.

Those changes included tying teacher tenure and evaluations to student achievement. Other provisions require annual teacher evaluations.