Statement from The Education Trust on the upcoming announcement of the finalists for “Race to the Top” grants

WASHINGTON (March 4, 2010) –  “Race to the Top” grants have the potential to elevate ambitious reforms that place the needs of children – —especially our most vulnerable— – ahead of accommodations for adults. But for reforms to succeed, rigorous evaluation of the competitive grant finalists that will be announced later today is absolutely critical.

The great promise of Race to the Top – —and the unprecedented resources it will distribute – —is the opportunity to drive meaningful and powerful change for students. That promise will be squandered if reviewers and federal officials aren’’t willing to say, “Sorry, this plan just isn’’t good enough,” to states that fail to focus squarely on equity for all students or that lack the capacity to implement a strong application.

America’s students need and deserve the best education reform plans possible. Any proposals that don’t shoot for the moon need to be left in the dust.