Kansas Not Among Race to the Top Finalist
TOPEKA – March 4, 2010 – The Kansas State Department of Education received notification Thursday morning that Kansas is not among those selected as finalists for Phase I of the Race to the Top grant.
“Though this is not the news we expected, we will submit an application during Phase II of the competition,” remarked Dr. Diane M. DeBacker, Interim Commissioner of Education. “We are confident that we are strong competitors to receive this funding, and we will continue to pursue this award.”
The $4.35 billion Race to the Top Fund is the largest ever federal competitive investment in school reform. It will reward states for creating conditions for educational change and provide incentives for large-scale, system-changing reforms.
In total, 40 states and the District of Columbia applied under the Phase 1 deadline of January 19, 2010. Kansas will resubmit an application in the second phase which will be accepted on June 1, 2010, with awards announced in September 2010.
Of the $166 million Kansas applied for, 50% will go directly to participating districts, with the remaining 50% to the Kansas State Department of Education to assist in implementing the 31 projects included in the application and also to develop competitive grants for which districts may apply.
If awarded, the funds will be available for four years, or through the 2013–2014 school year.
For more information and the Race to the Top application, visit the KSDE website at http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=3480.
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