Louisiana is often talked about as a front runner in the Race to the Top grant competition. Here’s why. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the state implemented the Recover School District (RSD) to turnaround the state’s lowest performing schools.  Today, the RSD oversees 112 schools and has implemented a number of reforms to...

With $4+ Billion dollars in federal Race to the Top (RTTT) grants at stake, it’s no wonder that cash-strapped states are looking for ways to set themselves apart to win this race.  While each state has its own strengths and weaknesses, some have already been recognized for being out in front.  Colorado is widely seen to be a...

Last month, I wrote a letter to Secretary Arne Duncan expressing support for the U.S. Department of Education's ambitious education reform agenda. With respect to the $4.35 billion Race to the Top grant fund, I encouraged Secretary Duncan to award funds to only the most aggressive states, as has been the intention since the competition was...

In a recent letter, the National Education Association (NEA) expressed concerns about major components of President Obama’s $4.35 billion Race to the Top (RTTT) grant competition. The union thinks the size of the program will inhibit effectiveness, opposes basing teacher evaluations in part on student performance, opposes expanding...