In presenting the Department of Education’s proposed budget to the House Education and Labor Committee last week, Secretary Arne Duncan underscored the Obama Administration’s goal of improving teaching. The proposed budget rightly focuses on instruction as key to a high-quality education for all students. To back this up, it would allot $950 million in new competitive grants to states and school districts that prepare, recruit, retain, and reward effective teachers and principals.

     Indeed, teacher policies in most states need an overhaul. A new report from the National Council on Teacher Quality, "2009 State Teacher Policy Yearbook," finds that most state policies fall short of embracing the nation's goal of improving teacher quality. Consider: Only 24 states require yearly evaluations for new teachers, and only 17 evaluate new teachers early enough in the school year to provide timely feedback and support. What's more, only 28 states help districts reward teachers in high-needs schools.

     Ensuring that all students have access to effective teachers is essential in preparing them for the future. Congress can help by including the competitive grant program in the budget, and state leaders can do what’s right for kids by recruiting, retaining, and rewarding the best teachers. And states that invest resources and energy wisely need not choose between excellence and equity. “Fighting for Quality and Equality, Too” outlines ten steps state policymakers and district leaders can take now to make a difference in teacher quality and equitable access to the best teachers for low-income and minority students.