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New York's Race to the Top (RTTT) Grant

On February 17, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) was signed into law, designed to stimulate the economy, support job creation, and invest in critical sectors, including education. The ARRA laid the foundation for education reform by supporting investments in innovative strategies that were most likely to lead to improved results for students, long-term gains in school and school system capacity, and increased productivity and effectiveness. 

Through Race to the Top, the United States Department of Education ask states to advance reforms around four specific areas:

  • Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace and to compete in the global economy;
  • Building data systems that measure student growth and success, and inform teachers and principals about how they can improve instruction;
  • Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals, especially where they are needed most; and
  • Turning around our lowest-achieving schools.

Awards went to States that were leading the way with ambitious yet achievable plans for implementing coherent, compelling, and comprehensive education reform. Race to the Top winners helped trail-blaze effective reforms and provide examples for states and local education agencies throughout the country to follow as they too are hard at work on reforms that can transform our schools for decades to come.

Final Report: