KEY DOCUMENTS
Certain documents, statements, proposals and laws have had a major role in defining our nation's education reform policy and discussion over the years. Here are some of those key items.

Race to the Top
Federal Education Fund | U.S. Department of Education | 2008-present
Per the U.S. Department of Education: Awards in Race to the Top will go to States that are leading the way with ambitious yet achievable plans for implementing coherent, compelling, and comprehensive education reform. Race to the Top winners will help trail-blaze effective reforms and provide examples for States and local school districts throughout the country to follow as they too are hard at work on reforms that can transform our schools for decades to come. 

A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform
Report | National Commission on Excellence in Education | April 1983
This open letter to America stunned the nation when it was released in 1983 and has since become a pivotal reference point for education reform.

No Child Left Behind Act
Federal Legislation | U.S. Government | January 2002
This law defines accountability and performance standards for schools.

Goals 2000
Federal Legislation | Congress | March 1994
This act set national goals for education reform.

The Role of Government in Education
Essay | Professor Milton Friedman | 1955
This essay introduced the concept of school vouchers.