Kansas Submits Race to the Top Application
Karla Denny, Director of Communications, 785-296-2551
TOPEKA – January 21, 2010 – Kansas has completed the Phase 1 application for $166 million through the Race to the Top Fund. 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.
Kansas is a strong contender for the RTTT funds based on our work thus far in the four core reform areas. These areas include:
- Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college and the workforce and to compete in the global economy;
- Building data systems that measure student growth and success, and inform teachers and principals about how they can improve instruction;
- Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals, especially where they are needed most; and
- Turning around our lowest-achieving schools.
In total, 40 states and the District of Columbia applied under the Phase 1 deadline of January 19, 2010. Awards will be announced in April 2010. A second phase of applications will be accepted on June 1, 2010, with awards announced in September 2010. Kansas will reapply in Phase 2 if necessary.
“Kansas’ application is strong due to the work that has been ongoing in the reform areas for the past few years. The 31 projects submitted in the application will allow Kansas to continue moving forward with significant education reform,” said Interim Commissioner of Education, Dr. Diane M. DeBacker.
Of the $166 million Kansas applied for, 50% would go directly to participating districts, with the remaining 50% for KSDE to administer and implement the projects identified in the application, including 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
www.ksde.org (Kansas American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Information).
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