The Obama administration has taken a very focused approach to educational policy,and use of stimulus funds to realize that policy.  The overall policy goal is to advance core educational reforms.  There are four major assurances that must given to receive any stimulus funding, They are:

• Program goals are aligned with college and work readiness standards
• Collection and effective use of data is included,
• Methods to increase teacher effectiveness and distribution are part of the package, and
• Programs are targeted on turning around schools which serve the poorest performing students

Within those assurances, the government has identified specific qualities that should characterize all proposed new spending. They are innovation, continuous improvement, scale, and transparency.  Ripple Effects not only is aligned with each and all of the four assurances, it shares all four of these targeted characteristics.