School Improvement

Ohio's Race to the Top (RttT)

In August 2010, Ohio was selected as one of 10 winning states to be funded in round 2 of the Race to the Top initiative. Ohio will receive $400 million in federal Race to the Top funds during the next four years.

Ohio’s RttT plan for school reform is intended to increase student achievement and graduation rates. Specifically, performance targets are on five goals:

1. Increase high school graduation rates by 0.5 percent each year to 88 percent;
2. Reduce graduation rate gaps by 50 percent between black and white students;
3. Reduce performance gaps by 50 percent between black and white students on national and statewide assessments;
4. Reduce the gap between Ohio and the best performing states by 50 percent in reading and math proficiency as measured by national assessments; and
5. More than double the increase in college enrollment for 18- and 19- year olds.

Ohio’s history of leadership and entrepreneurship provides a strong platform to successfully roll out the state’s RttT strategy and assist LEAs and Community Schools to successfully implement their RttT Scopes of Work. State level resources are being developed to build the capacity of school districts and community schools to implement RttT commitments to four assurance areas:Adoption of new standards, assessments, and graduation requirements reflecting high expectations for students, engaging them in real-world applications and supporting creativity and innovation;

• Development of data systems that drive decisions, inform instruction, and document improvement of student success;
• Support great teachers and leaders who work collaboratively, seek professional excellence, and help students graduate with a sense of purpose and be well equipped to thrive in a highly competitive global society; and
• Commit to turning around low-achieving schools so that all students attend excellent schools with enhanced teaching and learning environments.

As of December 2010, 31 public schools and 37 community schools in SST 11 are participating in Race to the Top. This transformative work will result in more Ohio students realizing greater successes in school and in life.

Race to the Top links

ESEA Reauthorization: A Blueprint for Reform

Executive Summary of Race to the Top Program

ODE’s Race to the Top webpage

Ohio's Scope of Work document (Dec. 2010) submitted to US Department of Education