The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation his taking unprecedented steps to spend millions to influence the way the federal government distributes nearly $5 billion in “Race to the Top” grants to overhaul public schools. The foundation is offering $250,000 apiece to help states apply, so long as they agree with the foundation’s approach. Obama and the Gates Foundation share some goals that not everyone embraces: paying teachers based on student test scores, among other measures of achievement; charter schools that operate independently of local school boards; and a set of common academic standards adopted by every state.

Some argue that a private foundation shouldn’t partner with the government. Another concern is that as a private foundation, Gates doesn’t have to disclose the details of its spending as the government does.

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