Is the question on the National Journal's Education Expert blog.  Arthur Rothkopf responds, in part:

The guidance issued by the Department of Education on the Race to the Top Fund is remarkable for its whole-hearted support of reform principles.  Arne Duncan is to be commended for standing firm in endorsing principles of linking teacher and principal compensation to student achievement, support of charter schools, and requiring that states adhere to the reform standards enunciated in ARRA...The challenge now is for the Department to apply these principles in the face of likely political and interest group pressure. The Secretary should know that the business community and other reform-minded groups are backing him to the hilt in this effort.