Three years ago today, President Obama announced Race to the Top, an effort by the Department of Education to encourage innovation, reform, and excellence in schools across the country. In his announcement, the President said:

I'm issuing a challenge to our nation's governors, to school boards and principals and teachers, to businesses and non-for-profits, to parents and students: If you set and enforce rigorous and challenging standards and assessments; if you put outstanding teachers at the front of the classroom; if you turn around failing schools—your state can win a Race to the Top grant that will not only help students outcompete workers around the world, but let them fulfill their God-given potential.

Today, states have responded to the President’s challenge by making strides to improve the quality of early learning and K-12 education. Race to the Top has not only provided funding to 21 states and the District of Columbia, benefiting 30 million students, but has also spurred 46 states to raise their teaching and learning standards without new federal mandates.

President Obama is working hard to help every student reach his or her potential—but there is more work to be done. Stand with the President and volunteer for Young Americans for Obama.

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