Highlight Your School’s Progress for Students with Disabilities and Gifts and Talents!

Last week, the White House announced the Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge. High schools across the nation can compete to host the President as their graduation commencement speaker. At the beginning of the school year, the President encouraged students across the country to take responsibility for their education, study hard and graduate from high school.  The Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge encourages schools to show how they are making great strides on personal responsibility, academic excellence and college readiness.

The application process is described on the White House website. Each school can submit one application, and it can be prepared by either students or staff. The application’s four essay questions focus on demonstrating how the school is helping prepare students to meet the President’s 2020 goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates in the world. Applications will be judged based on the school’s performance and dedication to providing students an excellent education that will prepare them to graduate ready for college and career choices. Each question must be answered in full to qualify and data that substantiates each answer is strongly encouraged. 

From these applications, the White House will choose six finalists and will then ask the public to narrow down the applications to three and the White House will select the winner.

The contest is currently open and will remain open until March 16. Make sure your application highlights the great work your school is doing for students with disabilities and those with gifts and talents!