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Race to the Top: Joanne Weiss & Running the Race

Race to the Top Director, Joanne Weiss, believes that win or lose, what really matters in this competition is how states play the game. This video is part of a Learning Matters series covering the Race to the Top. Watch all related videos and listen to more podcasts here. Produced by: Cat McGrath. Edited by: Edwin Clavijo.

Politics K-12 Blog

Commentaries

Over the Top

December 11, 2009 As states complete their applications for the federal program, Yong Zhao offers a tongue-in-cheek guide to winning strategies.

The Hole in 'Race to the Top'

December 7, 2009 By focusing on the very worst schools, the initiative misses an opportunity to help good urban districts become great, writes Richard Whitmire.

A Grand Bargain

September 25, 2009 Federal 'Race to the Top' money could be used to realign the school system, write Theodore Hershberg and Claire Robertson-Kraft.

Turnaround Schools That Work

September 2, 2009 "An exclusive focus on changing the principal and teachers misses two-thirds of the larger school community, which also includes students and parents," writes Richard D. Kahlenberg.

'Race to the Top' Lessons From New Orleans

August 28, 2009 "It does not require a natural disaster to enact reforms like those under way in New Orleans," write Paul G. Vallas and Leslie R. Jacobs.

Branding Education, Government-Style

August 3, 2009 Shawn Maureen Powers examines titles and catchphrases from federal education efforts, and what their development means for our current approach to school reform.

Secretary Duncan: Use New School Money on Something New

July 29, 2009 “Putting more resources into technology and for-profit consultants provides jobs and lets politicians feel they are helping schools, but it doesn’t improve student learning,” write Gary W. Ritter and Robert Maranto.

More Stimulus Stories

New Teacher-Evaluation Systems Face Obstacles

December 11, 2009 Few districts have tried to connect their systems to professional development, teacher promotion, and compensation.

'Race to Top' Standards Link Questioned

December 16, 2009 Grant-competition rules that give states extra points for joining the common-standards push amount to federal intrusion, some argue on Capitol Hill.

Reassurance Offered on 'Race to Top' Availability

December 15, 2009 "Plenty of money" will be left over after the first round of stimulus grants, Education Department officials tell states.

IES to Evaluate Programs Launched Under Stimulus

December 2, 2009 Researchers will study initiatives funded by the law’s $10 billion in competitive grant programs.

Stimulus Rules on 'Turnarounds' Shift

November 23, 2009 The guidelines for addressing low-performing schools allow states and districts to use a turnaround approach that many educators favor: providing professional development and coaching for a school’s current staff, and making changes to curriculum and instruction.

Changes Urged in Rules for Federal Innovation Aid

November 19, 2009 Philanthropies question a draft plan to require matching funds from applicants for the Education Department’s $650 million "i3" program.

Tighter Tracking Vowed on Stimulus Jobs Impact

November 19, 2009 Obama administration officials concede reporting errors, but tell skeptics in Congress the program is creating and saving many jobs.

Education Department to Demand School Pay Data

November 18, 2009 The goal of the plan is to find out how salary spending differs between schools receiving Title I funds and lower-poverty ones.

Stimulus Reporting Advances

October 15, 2009 Tracking how every dollar of education aid gets used—as detailed in the first reports slated to go public Oct. 30—is a tall order.

States Stung by Criticism on Use of Federal Aid

October 12, 2009 Singled out by the Education Department’s inspector general, states defend use of the money for plugging budget holes rather than reform.