As part of the Race to the Top program, a new national contest prompts school districts to submit their most innovative educational plans.  Competing for up to $25 million each, the Department of Education will target lower-income communities for programs that measure student progress and teacher assessment.  To qualify for consideration, districts must have a federally-subsidized school lunch rate of at least 40%.

According to a Race to the Top spokesman, the contest will be favorable toward programs that focus instructional techniques on individual student needs.  As opposed to a standardized strategy, districts are encouraged to address evolving challenges in the classroom, including non-English speaking students, economic instability and learning disabilities.

In all, up to $400 million could be awarded to over a dozen applicants.  Final rules are expected to be published this summer.  To read more of the article, click here.