Race to the Top (RTTT)

Race to the Top (RTTT) was authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which was signed by President Obama on February 17, 2009. RTTT established Federal goals for education and offered competitive grants that states could then apply for. New York State was fortunate enough to receive one of these grants.

RTTT goals are to improve student achievement, close achievement gaps between best and lowest performing schools, improve high school graduation rates, and ensure post-secondary success (college and career readiness). In New York State, the RTTT initiative has focused on:

• 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 great teachers and leaders.