"Although the federal government controls less than 10 percent of public school funding, President Barack Obama is using that lever to transform education in America.
The $4 billion Race to the Top grant program, the largest pool of money ever available for school reform, laid out some of his ideas for fixing failing schools and holding educators accountable. This week's announcement of the Education Department budget — and proposed changes to the controversial No Child Left Behind Act — show that Obama also aims to create a system that will allow the U.S. economy to remain competitive.
Congress should work swiftly to pass this new version of No Child Left Behind before August, when election-year politics will eliminate any chance of an honest debate."
