Washington schools race to the top

STATES making the most strides to transform their public schools will snag part of a $5 billion federal "Race to the Top" fund meant to push innovation and reform.

Washington must aggressively go after this money. Individual districts are eligible to compete for $650 million of it by demonstrating innovative partnerships with nonprofits.

The money will go to states making inroads in improving teacher quality, helping struggling students and using data to track student achievement. Congressional leaders have urged the White House to spread the money thickly where education reform has been the most successful, leaving out states that have done little to nothing.

In applying for the competitive grants, Washington has a compelling case to make: The education-reform bill recently signed into law by Gov. Chris Gregoire calls for improvements in preparing students for college and work, closing the achievement gap and a database that tracks student and teacher performance.

The state Board of Education has improved math and science standards, part of a national goal to raise academic standards. And the Legislature authorized $4 million in the budget for technological improvements to the state's testing system.

These are important steps. But if the applications run into trouble it will be because the state is long on good intentions and short on results. Education Secretary Arne Duncan will be looking to states that have made the most gains.

States farther down the road of reform will be competing for this pot of money. For example, Massachusetts, with its widely praised academic standards and testing systems, would seem to lend it an edge.

Thus, Washington must continue its efforts, such as offering bonuses for highly experienced teachers in high-poverty schools and stipends to teachers pursuing more training in mathematics or science. Smart recent choices include a teacher training program for teaching students with dyslexia and increasing funding for tutors in underperforming schools.

This state could capture some of the money for our ambitious schools agenda. It is worth a strong, concerted effort to dramatically improve the academic lives of children.