The following criteria will be used in selecting the recipients of the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education.

Today's students require a certain set of knowledge and skills to successfully compete for jobs in the current economic climate, such as problem solving and creative thinking. If the U.S. is to return to its tradition of innovation and leadership within the country and around the world, it will need a strong base of workers and citizens steeped in the jobs skills that will bolster our economy and once again put us in a place to compete on a global scale.

Although schools potentially face unprecedented cuts, thousands of U.S. educators and policy makers are doing what they can with what they have. They are focusing on turning out increasing numbers of students skilled in the subjects that will continue to create graduates who are prepared for the jobs of the 21st century, subjects such as math, science, engineering and computer science. In addition, they are developing models that can be adapted for use in schools across the country.

Winners will be individuals from communities and schools who personify all the ways we can boost student achievement, namely ensuring that students have qualified teachers, providing access to strong programs in and out of school, and supporting education from the highest levels of local, state and national government.

The 2009 McGraw Prize will be awarded to three individuals who have addressed innovation and education, focusing on the whole child, in one of three broad categories:

* Professional Development and Teacher Education (In School, only)
Teacher quality is at the heart of current education discussions. Although schools and communities can raise expectations and initiate new programs, these efforts will fall flat unless teachers are prepared to, for example, use technology in teaching and learning, and are in place to carry out rigorous academic coursework. Some promising ideas in teacher education include providing scholarships to students interested in hard to staff or high-need teaching jobs and making it easier for “career switchers” to enter into the profession.

* Pre-K-, Elementary- and Secondary-Level Education Programs (In and Out of School)
Although the nominees in this category can be from anywhere along the Pre-K to 12 spectrum, there should be evidence that the award recipient recognizes the connections and building blocks necessary for students to maintain achievement throughout the educational process. Gains made from effective early and elementary school level programs in content areas including, but not limited to math and science, must be sustained in the middle school years. Likewise, programs at the high school level must build on previous levels' schooling and prepare students for post-secondary schooling that does not require remediation.

* Policy Makers
Under the decentralized U.S. education system, policy makers at the state level are in the most strategic position to make significant contributions in strengthening innovation in education. State-level policy initiatives range from school-based partnerships, to larger investments in Pre-K, to the creation of science- or math-focused academies, to supporting online learning options. In addition to implementing such programs, effective policy makers have used their positions as bully pulpits to engage the business community and others to promote awareness of the importance of skills that will benefit our economy.

Please visit the Past Winners section of this site to learn more about the accomplishments and dedication demonstrated by previous recipients of the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education.