Race to the Top

I read a great article earlier today about a program that President Obama has spear-headed. It is called Race to the Top. This program allows states to actually compete for a portion of the federal funding that is given to schools. States are encouraged to reform in 4 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.
Awards in this program are given to states who are leading the way for reform.

There is obviously much debate over this program. Many argue that it is taking funding away from other areas and ignoring long-standing inequalities in education. This program may not be without faults, but I think this is definitely a step in the right direction for preparing our students for the world ahead of them.