The Auburn School District Board of Directors signed Washington’s Race to the Top Partnership Agreement during the school board meeting Monday.

The school district supports the State of Washington’s Race to the Top grant project and application for funding to the U.S. Department of Education. The partnership agreement is based on a vision for the future in which all Washington students will be prepared to succeed in the 21st century world of work, learning and global citizenship.

The federal funds will help states implement their education reform efforts. The Race to the Top program rewards states that design and implement comprehensive and systematic changes in four areas:

• Develop and adopt common standards

• Data systems for increased access and use of data

• Support of effective teachers and school leaders

• Turning around struggling schools

The school district is currently addressing the four areas of the Race to the Top program, as outlined in the district’s 2009-2012 Strategic Improvement Plan.