On Thursdays, REL-NEI highlights state-based resources, press releases, and news around the Northeast and Islands Region related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). For a listing of REL Issues & Answers Reports categorized under ARRA topics and domains, click here.
MA, NY, and RI Are ‘Race to the Top Finalists,’ Again
For the second time, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island have been named finalists in the federal Race to the Top (RTTT) grant competition. U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced the 19 finalists, which include 18 states and the District of Columbia, on July 27th at the National Press Club.
“Peer reviewers identified these 19 finalists as having the boldest plans, but every state that applied will benefit from this process of collaboratively creating a comprehensive education reform agenda,” Duncan said. “Much of the federal dollars we distribute though other channels can support their plan to raise standards, improve teaching, use data more effectively to support student learning, and turn around underperforming schools.”
In early March, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island were finalists in Phase 1 of the competition, but ultimately the three states did not win awards. Only Tennessee and Delaware were selected as Phase 1 winners. On June 1st, the three Northeast states resubmitted applications, vying for the remaining $3.4 billion in RTTT funds. Connecticut, Maine, and New Hampshire also submitted Phase 2 applications but were not chosen as finalists. Thirty-five states and the District of Columbia applied in Phase 2 of RTTT.
“Our selection as a finalist is reflective of dual efforts to be highly collaborative and at the same time bold with our proposal,” said Massachusetts Education Secretary Paul Reville. “We lead the nation in student achievement and this proposal positions us to build on our success.”
The 19 finalists will send five-person teams to Washington, D.C., during the week of August 9th to present their education reform plans to the peer reviewers who scored their applications. After each state’s presentation and an extended question-and-answer period, the peer reviewers will finalize their scores and comments.
The Department intends to announce the winners of the competition in September.
Click the following links to learn more about RTTT, Duncan’s announcement, and various states’ reactions:
For more information, visit these ARRA-related websites across the Northeast and Islands Region:
U.S. Department of Education
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/index.html
State Recovery Sites
http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/state-local-tribal-and-territorial-resources
State Education Agency Recovery Sites
Education Week’s “Schools and the Stimulus”
http://www.edweek.org/ew/collections/schools-stimulus/index.html
