The article does a fine job of laying out the policy context, making the topic -- the quest to understand the detailed mechanics of good teaching -- come alive through the story of Doug Lemov, who has been pioneering work on the theme.

Treatment of issue is superficial. It doesn't tackle experiences learned from NPR and other nonprofit news efforts or explain basis for distinguishing new efforts from several that he praises.

A more in-depth piece could estimate the range of impacts of Obama's education and health reforms in relation to the overall federal budget--but the article still makes a useful case that the Admin. is being reasonably conservative in its forecasts and that its decisions on major domestic policy issues could reduce the deficit in the long-term.