A Study Of The "Race To The Top" Program In The United States

In order to promote the United States’ international competitiveness and pursue the quality excellence of fundamental education, the federal government attaches great importance to the development of fundamental education. Under the influence of the global economic crisis, the Obama administration strengthens education management and increases education investment by the name of "stimulating economic development and facilitating the country’s future prosperity". Thus, the U.S. department of education announced the release of the "Race to the Top" program, which is the biggest federal education investment in the United States. The competitive and fair grant program designed to encourage and reward States that are creating the condition for education innovation and reform is an important part of the education appropriation in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.The paper does the research of the "Race to the Top" program comprehensively and systematically, including its background, content, cases, evaluation and implications. Firstly, the social, education and policy context are uncovered from time-space dimensions to highlight the features of continuity and coherence in American education policy. Secondly, it approaches these ambitious plans completely in four core education reform areas from different angles. Then, taken Tennessee as a typical case, the paper expounds states’ framework and measures. Meanwhile, the reform achievements and challenges from horizontal and vertical aspects are revealed on account of the implement of Tennessee "Race to the Top" program. Finally, the paper would evaluate this program fully in its features, advantages, disadvantages, impact and prospects etc. Based on these aspects, some suggestions from perspectives of education administrative, education quality and education policy are offered to deepen our fundamental education reform.