Race to the Top

Race to the Top was a federal education program launched in 2009 to encourage state-level improvements in K-12 schools. It provided competitive grants to states that proposed innovative reforms, such as adopting higher standards, improving data systems, and supporting effective teachers. The goal was to incentivize states to raise student achievement and close achievement gaps. States competed for funding by demonstrating their plans for reform, and those that succeeded received financial support to implement their initiatives. The program aimed to foster widespread educational improvements through collaboration, accountability, and the adoption of evidence-based practices.