Dec
16
Written by:
Samantha Daleiden Marshall, M.A., English
12/16/2011 10:54 AM
Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge has been in the news quite a bit since the challenge was announced and now the winners have been announced! Nine states were awarded the funds. Congratulations to:
California
Delaware
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
North Carolina
Ohio
Rhode Island
Washington
Curious about what the states plan to do with the funds being awarded?
You can view all 35 states applications and review processes (including score sheets and reviewers’ comments and scores). It includes presentations and even videos of the final applicants providing their presentations.
States’ Applications, Scores and comments for Phase 1
States’ Applications, Scores and comments for Phase 2
How much money is being awarded?
The Race to the Top Grant is a total of 500 million dollars. The states will see anywhere between 50 million and 100 million dollars depending state population and proposed plans.
There is also another 200 million dollars being awarded next month for K-12 education reform. The following states are eligible: Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
What was the focus of the challenge?
It was for states to come up with plans to heighten the access of “high-quality programs for children from low-income families, providing more children from to age with a strong foundation they need for success in school and beyond.”
Overall what do the states intend to do?
“The Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge will support the work of the nine state grantees to develop new approaches to raising the bar across early learning centers and to close the school readiness gap. Awards will invest in grantees' work to build statewide systems of high-quality early learning and development programs. These investments will impact all early learning programs, including Head Start, public pre-K, childcare, and private preschools. Key reforms will include: aligning and raising standards for existing early learning and development programs; improving training and support for the early learning workforce through evidence-based practices; and building robust evaluation systems that promote effective practices and programs to help parents make informed decisions” (We Can't Wait: Nine States Awarded Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge Grants Awards Will Help Build Statewide Systems of High Quality Early Education Programs)
What determined the winners?
Quality of application and funds available.
For the complete press release: We Can't Wait: Nine States Awarded Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge Grants Awards Will Help Build Statewide Systems of High Quality Early Education Programs
Race to The Top Early Challenge Website: Race to the Top -- Early Learning Challenge
View the States Applications: States’ Applications, Scores and comments for Phase 1, States’ Applications, Scores and comments for Phase 2
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