Home > In Focus > Race to the Top

Race to the Top

President Obama's Race to the Top Fund puts states in competition for $4.35 billion toward education reform and innovation. CER applauds the effort but cautions that true reform will occur only when all federal dollars are tied to innovation.

The growth of charter schools, which focus on accountability and achievement, can be a core component of states' Race to the Top efforts. But growing great charter schools is about more than just lifting states' charter school caps. This Race to the Top is a marathon, not a sprint, where who can approve charters, how much they're funded, and how independently they operate make all the difference in just how many children in a state can choose a good charter school education. CER's Accountability Report 2009 examines in-depth the positive link between strong charter school laws, charter school accountability, and student achievement.

Check out CER's 2010 Charter School Law Ranking and Scorecard for what makes an effective charter law, and contact CER for information and assistance in moving your state's policy on charter law across the finish line in top form.

For additional insights on the federal Race to Top program, check out edspresso, your daily addiction for education reform news and commentary.

Recent Developments

'Race to the Top' Ends With a Whimper Status Quo Strongholds Share Same Stage as Education Reform Leaders:

Jeanne Allen on 'Race to the Top' Phase 2 Finalists: Status Quo Strongholds Share Same Stage as Education Reform Leaders:

A round-up of half-truths and unique obfuscations from the 16 finalists of Phase 1:Race to the Top Reality Check

CER Sets the Agenda for Critique of 'Race to the Top':

• Education Contest Yields 18 Finalists, The Wall Street Journal
• As Race to the Top Competition Intensifies, So Do Education Reforms, The Christian Science Monitor
• Education Reform (Video), The Wall Street Journal
• States Compete for Federal School Dollars, New York Times
• Obama Uses School Dollars to Prod States to Change, Associated Press

More...

Don't Give on Merit Pay Reforms
Critics such as the Center for Education Reform question Florida's commitment to merit-pay reform given Gov. Crist's veto of a recent teacher-tenure reform bill.

Race to the Top Will Bring Changes, No Cash
Jeanne Allen, director of the Center for Education Reform, said that, by awarding money to a majority of second-round applicants -- 10 winners were chosen from 18 applicants -- Race to the Top ended "not with a bang but with a whimper."

Obama Education Grants Politicized, School Choice Advocates Say
The inclusion of states such as Hawaii and Maryland, and the exclusion of states with marked improvement such as Louisiana and Colorado makes the grants suspect, said Jeanne Allen, the president of the Center for Education Reform.

Why Didn't We Win $400 Million
Jeanne Allen, president of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Education Reform, a school-choice advocacy group, had questioned whether Pennsylvania even deserved to make it to the second round.

Nine States, D.C. Win Second Phase Of Race To The Top
Jeanne Allen, president of the Center for Education Reform, continued to single out Maryland as among those undeserving of the funds. Keep up with Race to the Top developments at In Focus: Race to the Top.