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There was a proud announcement recently from Arne Duncan regarding the sixteen finalists who will benefit from the Race to the Top program and of course from the Federal dollars. For this, states were required to devise a plan for reform of education system that has to be approved by Duncan.

There was a bid to woo the officials of Education Department in Washington by the District of Columbia and fifteen states. A thirty minute presentation was made by the team after which they had to answer questions posed by a panel of judges for the next sixty minutes. Much to the ire of all states, most of them were however rejected by Duncan on the grounds that he did not like any of their plans except for two states namely Delaware and Tennessee.

Even as Delaware which will benefit from $107 million and Tennessee from $602 million, the other states go back to their drawing boards to devise more plans and reform projects and try their luck at the next round of competition.

Interestingly, Washington DC’s take-no-prisoners reforms were greatly lauded by the Federal government. However the state ended up last among the Race to the Top finalists.

According to expert analysts, Delaware scored on its innovative use of data. This was precisely the problem faced by Washington DC which could not develop an effective data information system. Duncan’s core principle is to drive reform using data even though we know that data can always be manipulated.

Another aspect on which assessments were based on includes linking student performance to teacher evaluation based on standardized tests. While a lot of experts think this is not a good idea, Duncan is determined to use this as a parameter.

Successful charter school conditions were eligible for 40 points out of the 500 points on the measurement scale. Though traditional public schools and charter schools are the same in educating students, Duncan prefers charter schools which may be one of the reasons why North Carolina did not make through. As we know, this State has a 100 public charter schools state-wide cap.

It is quite clear what Duncan wants from states. He is trying his best to increase standardized testing for students, expanding charter schools, closing down schools that are low performing and linking test scores to teacher performance and pay.

What is not easy to understand is why these initiatives have to be pushed by President Obama’s education secretary. The need of the hour is to bring back a perspective and reform to the system that could not be achieved with the No Child Left Behind. Hope the entire exercise does not go off track.

It is imperative to redefine the program and its requirements and ask for realistic and effective reform strategies from states with a firm view to enhance the overall quality of education. Only this can make a difference and take the country towards progress and prosperity.