Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge Grants Awarded

The Department of Education has awarded Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) Grants to nine states. The awarded states include:  
 • California
 • Delaware
 • Maryland 
 • Massachusetts  
 • Minnesota  
 • North Carolina
 • Ohio
  • Rhode Island 
 • Washington 

A dual initiative between the Departments of Education (DOE) and Health and Human Services (HHS), the RTT-ELC program is intended to increase access to high-quality early education and close the school readiness gap by raising standards, improving training for early learning providers and building evaluation systems that promote effective practices. Programs like RTT-ELC are a critical first step in ensuring that children are on track to enter school with the skills necessary to succeed.  Each state will receive a grant award from the $500 million RTT-ELC fund, with awards expected to range from $50 million to $100 million. Final budgets will be created after the grantees, DOE and HHS have the opportunity to finalize RTT-ELC plans. For more information about the RTT-ELC grantees, please click here.