Tennessee Targets Teaching With Race to Top Winnings

State Officials See Unique Chance for Big Change in Expectations for Schools

Armed with $500 million in federal Race to the Top Fund money, Tennessee’s education officials are looking to boost the quality of their teaching and principal ranks while pushing to turn around low-performing schools faster than ever.

Timothy K. Webb, the state education commissioner, said he’s excited by the accolades, as well as the pressure, that come from being in the spotlight as the state tries to remake its education system with the help of a large infusion of federal aid .

This point in time represents “the biggest moment of public education in Tennessee,” he said in an interview after the two first-round winners in the competition were announced last week. “We have the opportunity to have the resources to make the change happen, and the opportunity to change the expectations,” Mr. Webb said. “We believe that is...