Race to the Top is a $4.35 billion education program created by the Department of Education under President Obama to encourage education reform at the state level. States receive points based on policies adopted in areas like teacher evaluation, charter schools, and common standards. Points determine funding amounts, with Ohio receiving $400 million after earning 440/500 points. The program aims to spur innovation through a competitive grant process.
1. E R I N P U R S I N G E R
C AY L E E R O S A
AL E X P F E I F F E R
B E N R O B E R T S
Race to the Top
“It's time to stop just talking about education reform and start actually
doing it.
It's time to make education America's national mission.”
– President Barack Obama, November 4, 2009
2. What is Race to the Top?
A $4.35 billion United States Department of
Education contest created to spur innovation and
reforms in state and local district k-12 education.
States are awarded points for satisfying certain
education policies such as
Performance-based standards for teachers & principals
Complying with Common Core standards
Lifting caps on charter schools
Turning around the lowest-performing schools
Building data systems
3. What?
Based on the points given out to states, is the
amount of funding the state receives.
500 possible points
In the 2010 results, earning 418/500 points, round 1
revealed that Ohio was a finalist for the upcoming
round 2.
After round 2, earning 440/500 Ohio was awarded
$400 Million
4. When and Why?
The program was announced on July 24, 2009
Spur innovation and reform education systems
across America
5. How?
The United States Department of Education
established it as part of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009
Included in the 11.24% of
the act that focused on
education
6. Controversy
Conservatives believe it imposes federal control on
state schools.
Critics say the high-stakes test is unreliable
Teachers Unions and educations also say the tests
are inaccurate and unreliable
7. Modifications
Department of Education has made minor
adjustments to the program since 2009.
Another Race to the Top program was offered for the
2013 school year.
Aimed at Local Education Agencies (LEAs) as a
district competition.
8. Who?
Race to the Top is administered by The United
States Department of Education.
Funded by the Federal Government 100%
9. Administered at State/Local Level?
2009-2010 Competition
Competition between states, points were awarded to
the state as a whole, as the winnings would be
awarded to the state as well
2013 Competition
Administered at a district level, smaller total award
winnings, but given out to more districts
10. Money Distribution
Money is distributed based on States’ scores and
how well they met the given criteria
$4.35 Billion total is distributed among the winning
states
11. 500 Point System
To win the award money, the state must score high on
the 500 point system.
In said system, there are 6 categories one must succeed
in
1. Great Teachers and Leaders (138 pts)
2. State Success Factors (125 pts)
3. Standards and Assessments (70 pts)
4. General Selection Criteria (55 pts)
5. Turning around the Lowest-Achieving Schools (50 pts)
6. Data Systems to Support Instruction (47 pts)
7. Prioritization of STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering,
Math) (15 pts)
12. Multiple Choice Questions
How much does the Race to the Top program cost?
a) $4 Million
b) $300 Million
c) Almost $1 Billion
d) $4.35 Billion
13. Multiple Choice Questions
How much money was Ohio awarded in the 2010
results of Race to the Top?
a) $10 Million
b) $100 Million
c) $400 Million
d) $4.35 Billion
14. Multiple Choice Questions
Who was president when Race to the Top was
established?
a) Bill Clinton
b) George W. Bush
c) Barack Obama
d) None of the above
15. Multiple Choice Questions
How many points are possible of obtaining in Race to
the Top?
a) 100 points
b) 500 points
c) 1,000 points
d) 5,000 points
