State educators expect to hear this week if Virginia is a finalist in its bid for Race to the Top funding.
In a massive application, the state is seeking $350 million from the Obama administration's competitive education grant program.
One component of that application drove a substantial portion of the conversation yesterday in the House Education Committee, which approved Gov. Bob McDonnell's charter school legislation.
Virginia could get word this week -- possibly Thursday -- on whether it is a finalist. If so, officials will travel to Washington in mid-March to present before the peer reviewers who scored their applications. Final approval is scheduled in April.
McDonnell's charter school proposal would strengthen the role of the state Board of Education in reviewing charter applications and allow applicants to ask a local school board to reconsider a denial. The final word still would rest with the local board.
The House Education Committee passed the measure after discussion about making policy decisions based on dangling federal dollars. Some panel members bristled at a point put forth by bill proponents that enhancing the state's charter laws is critical to making Virginia's application more appealing.
In response to questioning by committee members, Robley Jones, a lobbyist for the Virginia Education Association, said: "I believe that if I were in your seat, I would look at the bill and say, 'What's the merit of the bill?' not, 'Do we need to pass this bill to get federal dollars?'"
Del. Kenneth C. Alexander, D-Norfolk, said after the meeting that the federal cash incentive is a false argument.
"In order to get the federal money, this bill is not ready for prime time," he said, referring to other elements of the program that the state has not addressed.
The U.S. Department of Education is looking for states to advance educational reforms through the grant program, and Virginia could use the money to help its cash-strapped budget.
Virginia's application -- compiled in collaboration with outgoing Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and McDonnell, the incoming governor -- stipulates that the state will use part of the money to develop high-performing charter or contract schools for up to seven districts identified as having persistently low-performing schools.
The schools would give "intensive services" to students who are struggling and at risk of not graduating by providing help as early as the fifth grade, according to the application.
Of Virginia's 132 local school districts, 117 signed on to participate in the state's application. Seven districts elected not to participate -- Essex County, New Kent County, Prince George County, Surry County, Williamsburg-James City County, Bristol and Petersburg. The other eight school districts expressed interest in being involved on some level.
In a 10-point list of concerns and questions, Petersburg schools cited uncertainty over its financial obligation after funding runs out from the stimulus-financed program, as well as whether the program funding would cover the actual costs associated with meeting requirements.
One of the charter school bill's patrons in the House, Democrat Rosalyn R. Dance, represents Petersburg.
A Senate committee, which already vetted the charter school bill, is scheduled to vote on it this week.
"The more this issue is discussed and understood, the better the legislation does in the General Assembly," said Tucker Martin, a spokesman for McDonnell. "Clearly there is growing support for expanding high-quality public charter schools in Virginia."
Contact Olympia Meola at (804) 649-6812 or omeola@timesdispatch.com.
Staff writer Jeremy Slayton contributed to this report.
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