Spotlight on American Education Week: grants in education

Deltek Analysts Emily Magurne and Erin Brady report.

Grant funding for education initiatives is crucial to improving the U.S. academic system so students can get the most out of their education, and teachers can provide the best learning environment possible. Education-related grants that provide access to technology for students and faculty are incredibly important, as these resources may not be available without the extra funding. As part of our American Education Week blog series, GovWin is offering background information on three education grants and reporting on projects taking place as a result of awarded funds.

As states and localities seek to obtain waivers from the strict laws implemented through the No Child Left Behind Act, the Obama administration has expressed interest in allowing school systems more flexibility with their Race to the Top (RTTT) grant program. The RTTT program is the Obama administration’s attempt at improving education standards while providing much-needed funding on a state-by-state level. The program is a competition designed to incentivize states to create plans and advance reform in four areas determined by the U.S. Department of Education:

• 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
• Revitalizing the nation’s lowest-achieving schools.

For the complete blog, go here.