The document summarizes President Obama's 2010 education reform plan, called the Blueprint for Reform. It overhauls the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to help ensure all students receive a complete education and are college and career ready. Key elements include developing rigorous common standards in core subjects; improving assessments; recruiting and supporting effective teachers and principals; meeting the needs of diverse learners including English learners; and providing competitive grants to foster innovation. The plan aims to improve student achievement, close achievement gaps, and better prepare students for success beyond high school.

1. A Blueprint for ReformThe Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education ActAbout the Education Plan of President Obama- 2010

2. The Obama Education Plan:America was once the best educated nation in world. A generation ago, we led all nations in college completion, but today 10 countries have passed us. It is not that their students are smarter than ours. It is that these countries are being smarter about how to educate their students. And the countries that out-educate us today will out-compete us tomorrow.

3. A world class education is also a moral imperative- the key to securing a more equal, fair, and just society.

4. We know that from the moment students enter a school, the most important factor in their success is not the color of their skin or the income of their parents- it is the teacher standing at the front of the classroom….We must do better to recruit, develop, support, retain, and reward outstanding teachers in America’s classrooms.

5. Instead of labeling failures, we will reward success. Instead of a single snapshot, we will recognize progress and growth. Instead of investing in the status quo, we must reform our schools to accelerate student achievement, close achievement gaps, inspire our children to excel, and turn around those schools that for too many young Americans aren’t providing them with the education they need to succeed in college and a career.“My administration’s blueprint for reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Act is not only a plan to renovate a flawed law, but also an outline for a re-envisioned federal role in education. This is framework to guide our deliberations and shared work- with parents, students, educators, business and community leaders, elected officials, and other partners- to strengthen America’s public education system.” - President Barack Obama

6. Funded by theAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act$5 billion for early learning programs

7. $77 billion for reforms to strengthen elementary and secondary education, including $48.6 billion to stabilize state education budgets

8. $5 billion in competitive funds to spur innovation and ambitious reform to close “the achievement gap”

9. Over $30 billion to address college affordability and improve access to higher educationSix sections of the BlueprintCollege- and Career-Ready StudentsGreat Teachers and Great LeadersMeeting the Needs of English Learners and Other Diverse LearnersA Complete EducationSuccessful, Safe, and Healthy StudentsFostering Innovation and Excellence

10. College- and Career-Ready Students4 of every 10 college students, including half of those at 2-year institutions, take remedial courses.

11. Many employers comment on the inadequate preparation of high school graduates.

12. While states have developed assessments aligned with their standards, in many cases these assessments do not adequately measure student growth or the knowledge and skills that students need, nor do they provide timely, useful information to teachers.

13. This blueprint challenges governors to develop college- and career-ready standards (Language Arts and Math).

14. The plan calls for better assessments, aligned with the standards.

15. The plan calls for English language proficiency standards for English learners.

16. As an accountability measure, states will be required to have data systems in place to gather information about student progress. This data must also include graduation rates, college enrollment rates, and rates of graduates needing remediation.College- and Career-Ready StudentsNot just school accountability, but also accountability for districts and states for providing principals and teachers with the support they need.

17. Focus most rigorous support and interventions on the lowest performing schools and districts.

18. Not just looking at absolute performance/proficiency, but at individual student growth and progress over time.