There is still hope to transform the mess of our education system into world-class learning opportunities for low-income kids.

Last week in New York City Janine Yass announced the 32 finalists for this year’s prestigious Yass Prize for Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless Education. The event was keynoted by CTUP’s co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media Steve Forbes.

The Yass Prize will provide more than $11 million this year to support education organizations – mostly in inner cities – to the educators offering exceptional 21st-century learning opportunities for kids trapped in poor-performing public schools.

“The launch of the award last year uncovered hundreds of inspirational and innovative schools and learning centers across the country,” says Ms. Yass. She adds that the “goal is to find and fund the best and influence others to follow their examples, so that no child has to wait for the education that best meets their needs.”

The Yass Prize will donate $11 million this year to the 32 semifinalists with the top performer receiving $1 million.