Race to the Top Fund

Posted by Beth DuBose on Nov 12, 2009

The Education Department has set aside $4.35 billion for states in the Race to the Top fund. The rules for the Race to the Top funds have recently been finalized. Bids will be rated on a point system, with the highest vales going to improving teacher and principal effectiveness. A perfect bid would be worth 500 points. The Education Department made the following statement on where these funds will go:

"Awards in Race to the Top will go to states that are leading the way with ambitious yet achievable plans for implementing coherent, compelling, and comprehensive education reform. Race to the Top winners will help trail-blaze effective reforms and provide examples for States and local school districts throughout the country to follow as they too are hard at work on reforms that can transform our schools for decades to come." (www.ed.gov) 

Through Race to the Top, states are asked to advance reforms around four specific areas:

• Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace and to compete in the global economy;


• Building data systems that measure student growth and success, and inform teachers and principals about how they can improve instruction;


• Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals, especially where they are needed most; and


• Turning around our lowest-achieving schools. The rules for the competition have recently been finalized.

The key policy details can be found in the Executive Summary document. Districts can also find the application for the funds on the Race to the Top website.