VOA慢速英语:Obama's 'Blueprint for Reform' in Education Goes to Congress

1.What this plan recognizes is that while the federal government can play a leading role in encouraging the reforms and high standards we need, the impetus for that change will come from states and from local schools and school districts.

What this plan recognizes是what引导的主语从句，是整个句子的主语。is 后面的that引导的是表语从句。表语从句是有两个转折关系的分句组成的。play a leading role in……在某方面发挥领导作用。

2.Under the new proposal, states and school systems would compete for federal grants.

compete for为夺取…比赛，而……而竞争

例句：These young men competed for the gold medal.
      这些年轻人为夺取金牌而比赛。

      The candidates competed for the union's endorsement.
      候选者们为获得联盟的赞同而竞争。

3.Dennis Van Roekel of the National Education Association said it "still relies on standardized tests to identify winners and losers."

rely on信赖, 依赖,依靠

例句：You can rely on me for help.
      你可指望我来帮忙。

      You may rely on my early arrival.
      你放心好了, 我会早到的。

在这一句中相当于rest on，depend on。

rest on依赖于, 寄托于…上, 基于

例句：Your success rests on your efforts.
      你的成功有赖于你的努力。

      His argument does not rest on reasoning or on experiment, but on authority.
      他的论点不是依靠推理或者实验, 而是靠权威。