Early education has been a growing priority for the Obama administration, and its competitive funding is spurring innovation in this field around the country. In 2013, early education journalist Paul Nyhan, author of this report, conducted case studies of four competitive grant programs that are triggering changes in early education: "Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge" (RTT-ELC), the "Social Innovation Fund" (SIF), "Investing in Innovation" (i3), and "Promise Neighborhoods." This brief provides an inside look at what kind of progress is possible--and what limitations exist--when policies are advanced through small competitive grants. The brief also opens a door into the world of implementation--the mechanics required to change practices on the ground--that rarely grabs headlines, is often invisible, and yet is the critical piece of ensuring that funding is used well and that policies succeed. [Acknowledged for their contribution to the report are Abbie Lieberman, Introduction Author; and Laura Bornfreund, Editor. The New America Education Policy Program's work is made possible through generous grants from the Alliance for Early Success; the Annie E. Casey Foundation; the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; the Evelyn & Walter Haas Jr. Fund; the Foundation for Child Development; the Heising-Simons Foundation; the Joyce Foundation; the Kresge Foundation; Lumina Foundation; the McKnight Foundation; the Pritzker Children's Initiative; the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; the W. Clement and Jessie V. Stone Foundation; and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.]