Race to the Top

“Poor school conditions and student struggles will never truly be changed if funding is rendered a contest in which the many, many schools suffering under such deplorable conditions are competing against one another for limited resources that can not cover all the need" (Gleason, 2011). 

I can see why Race to the Top is a popular educational movement seeking to replace No Child Left Behind.  After all, the premise behind Race to the Top is largely capitalistic, much like the government we live in.  It is based upon competition between schools: whoever can adopt national education standards and tests and do it best, will be eligible to “win” grant money from the federal government (Sheffield, 2010). 

The standards in Race to the Top were developed not by Washington, but by Republican and Democratic governors across the country (Obama, State of the Union 2011).  But why are we not asking our teachers? Why are we not asking our administrators? Why are we not asking our students?  Governors are not at the forefront of educational reform-schools are.  How can a school with limited resources even begin to compete?  On the flip side, why should an exceptional school be forced to conform to a set of national standards that may be lower than that own school’s expectations?  Because all schools want money.  Because all schools need money.  Having to compete for it on an unequal playing field tells our students that their education is only important if they can win it.

America was founded on an idea: The idea that each of us has the power to create our own destiny (Obama, State of the Union 2011).  But students aren’t even finishing high school.  Equality of education (i.e.-national standards) is not the same as equity in education (i.e.-equipping students what they need to be successful). Equity is unique to each school and each student.  Without addressing concerns equitably, the achievement gap will continue to widen.