What's new with Race to the Top

On this page you will find updates and links to new information on the Race to the Top competition, both from the U.S. Department of Education and from California. Check back regularly to stay informed about the California's Race to the Top proposal!

• July 27, 2010 California Selected as Finalist for Race to the Top Round 2
  U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced that California is one of 19 states selected as the finalists for more than $3 billion available in the second round of funding in the Race to the Top program. See the official News Release from the U.S. Department of Education.
  See the announcements from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and State Superintendent Jack O'Connell.
• June 1, 2010 Final Round 2 Application delivered in Washington, D.C. Congratulations to all who worked on this effort!
  Download California’s Round 2 Final Application.
  Download California’s Round 2 Application Appendices.
• May 24, 2010 See the list of LEAs who have submitted MOUs for Round 2.
• May 19, 2010 CLARIFICATION—No Opt-Out Provision for Round 2
  Some confusion was created on the LEA briefing call Wednesday. As a result some LEAs were left with the impression they could opt-out after signing the MOU. This is incorrect.
  
  Please refer to section II, D in the MOU, entitled STATE RECOURSE FOR PARTICIPATING LEA NON-PERFORMANCE. This section will be used by either the state or the US Department of Education to remove either LEAs or states from the program for non-performance. As an example, if there is a goal or benchmark in the MOU that an LEA is unable to meet or complete, the LEA must leave the program.
  
  Only LEAs confident they are committed and able to implement every provision contained in MOU should sign it. If during the term of the RTTT grant period any LEA does not perform for whatever reason, then they are out of program.
• May 18, 2010 State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Invites County and District Superintendents and Charter School Administrators to Conference Call
  "I invite you to participate in a conference call with Secretary of Education Bonnie Reiss and myself to discuss the details of Race to the Top (RTTT) Round 2 and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). We will be joined by our working group of superintendents who are assisting with the development of our application and key staff from our respective offices.
  
  When: Wednesday, May 19, 3:00 p.m.
  Call-in number(s): 866-639-9991 or 678-302-3571
  Pass code: RTTT
  
  We look forward to answering your questions about the MOU and the status of our RTTT application."
• Apr. 30, 2010 State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Announces California Will Participate in Round 2 of Federal Race to the Top Competition
  "California remains focused on finding ways to more effectively prepare all students for success in college and careers. In Round 2 of the Race to the Top competition, we will work with key districts and their communities that are committed to implement systemic changes that produce results for students locally, and use their success and focus on continuous improvement to inform our statewide plan." O'Connell said in a News Release today.
  See Also: Governor Schwarzenegger's Announcement of California's Intent to Pursue Race to the Top Round Two Funding.
• Mar. 29, 2010 First Round Race to the Top Winners
  Delaware and Tennessee are Round 1 winners of the $4 billion education-reform competition. Delaware will get about $100 million, and Tennessee will get about $500 million. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan stated: "We now have two states that will blaze the path for the future of education reform." He singled out Tennessee and Delaware for their strong stakeholder support, and for building a statewide, comprehensive plan that will affect "every single child" in those states.
• Mar. 8, 2010 12:00 noon Conference Call - Race to the Top: Next Steps for California
  Download an audio file of the Conference Call hosted by Kathryn Radtkey-Gaither, Undersecretary for the Office of Education, and Rick Miller, Deputy Superintendent, P-16 Policy and Information Branch at the California Department of Education. This call was for participating LEAs that submitted MOUs as well as stakeholders that submitted letters in support of California’s application.
• Mar. 5, 2010 U.S. Department of Education publishes the Phase 1 applications.
  http://www2.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2010/03/03042010.html

• Mar. 4, 2010 U.S. Department of Education Announces 16 Finalists in Phase 1 of Race to the Top
  See the press release and list of finalists on ED.gov.

• Feb. 22, 2010 Definition of Persistently Lowest Achieving Schools
  Download California’s definition.

Add your comments on California's Race to the Top.

Send in your suggestions to info@caracetothetop.org.