More Rhode Island teacher's unions have signed on to the state's Race to the Top application, bringing the total number of unions supporting the application to 11 or about 47% of the children. According to a Rhode Island official, only two school districts have not signed on to the application. Rhode Island officials are hoping that this added support, which many think can be accredited to the decision to hire back teachers who were fired at Central Falls, will help them win $75 million of the money. The state also increased the number of charter school from 20 to 35. Rhode Island came in eighth in the first round.
See "More teachers? unions throw support behind R.I.?s race to top", Michelle R. Smith, The Boston Globe, May 24, 2010