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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

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

• States Compete for Federal School Dollars, New York Times
• Obama Uses School Dollars to Prod States to Change, Associated Press
• Racing to Reform, Washington Post
• Compromising on Education Reform?, ABC News
• White House Wants States to 'Race to the Top', NPR's The Takeaway

More...

Hawaii's Failure in 'Race to Top' Self-Inflicted
More than 2,800 students are on the state's waiting list for admission to charter schools, some of which are free from Furlough Fridays. That is one of the reasons that the Center for Education Reform gave Hawaii a "D" grade for its ability to compete for Race to the Top funding. More from CER at In Focus: Race to the Top.

Criticisms, Praise Welcome Shortlist For $4 Billion Race To The Top Program
The changes had assuaged teachers but not charter advocates. The Center for Education Reform, a D.C.-based non-profit that promotes charter schools, had accused the administration of "diluting" the rules. More from CER at In Focus: Race to the Top.

Charter Schools See Increased Demand Nationwide, Locally
Charter schools are public schools developed by parents or teachers and approved by the state or local school board to provide an alternative to private or other types of public schools. The Center for Education Reform, which advocates for "school choice," credits several factors for charter schools' success, including their smaller sizes and "refreshing lack of bureaucracy and red tape."More from CER at In Focus: Race to the Top.

Utah Won't Get Race to the Top Money for Schools This Round
The Center for Education Reform recently ranked Utah's charter school laws as fourth strongest in the nation, and lawmakers have moved in recent days to pass legislation that would remove Utah's current limits on charter school enrollment growth each year. More from CER at In Focus: Race to the Top.

New State Analysis Reveals Lagging Progress on Charter Laws
As the Obama Administration prepares to review state applications for much coveted federal education funds in the 'Race to the Top' competition, no state in 2009 made enough progress to significantly move its score in the 11th annual ranking of state charter school laws, according to a new report that will be released next week by The Center for Education Reform.