The K - 12 grade - specific
standards define end - of - year expectations and a cumulative progression designed to
enable students to meet college and career
readiness expectations no later than the end of high school.
Launching the Race to the Top — Early Learning Challenge: President Obama has challenged states to close the school
readiness gap through the Early Learning Challenge, a competitive fund that has
enabled 20 states to increase the quality of their early education programs, to establish higher
standards across programs and to provide critical links with health, nutrition, mental health, and family support for our neediest children.