An Opportunity for Education Reform: Fiscal Year 2011 Education Appropriations

The brief, produced by the Center for American Progress, examines reform proposals in the Obama administration’s FY 2011 budget request, including why they’re needed and how they would improve the nation’s education system.

The authors review the federal Race to the Top competition, teacher quality initiatives and other school improvement grants. They recommend that Congress continue funding the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) upon the program’s impending reauthorization. They suggest that the proposed Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill offers a significant opportunity for a robust education reform agenda.

Overall, the authors argue that the president’s budget proposal represents a clear shift toward making federal education funds more competitive and innovative – a move the authors find very positive in ensuring that American students and schools retain their internationally competitive edge.

Read the report.