2013 Race to the Top – District Competition Announced

On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced the 2013 Race to the Top-District competition (RTT-D). ED plans on providing nearly $120 million to support bold improvements in teaching and learning that will directly impact student achievement at the local level. The Race to the Top program centers on four core reform areas: 

• Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to be successful in college and the workplace;
• Building data systems to measure student growth and success;
•  Recruiting, nurturing, rewarding and retaining effective educators and school leaders, especially in areas of high-need; and
• Turning around our country’s lowest-performing schools. 

In this year’s competition, ED seeks to build on innovative strategies already being implemented in classrooms nationwide. Applicants should demonstrate how they can personalize education for all students, emphasizing the fundamental relationship between teachers and students.

Grantees will receive anywhere from $4 to $30 million over a four year period, depending on the population of students served in the plan. ED plans on awarding between 5 and 10 2013 RTT-D grants.

Applicants from all districts, rural and non-rural, are invited to apply. Grantees will be selected on their ability to design a personalized learning environment for students, using collaborative, data-based strategies in order to prepare students for college and career. ED has established a competitive preference priority this year for applicants that propose to extend their reforms by partnering with public or private organizations to address the social, emotional and behavioral needs of students attending high-need schools.

To help applicants with the application process, technical assistance webinars are scheduled to be held on the following dates: August 7, August 13, August 27 and September 4. A webinar to answer questions submitted by email to ED is scheduled for August 15. To register for the first webinar on August 7, click here.

Grantees are encouraged to submit an Intent to Apply by August 23. The final application is due October 3. Announcements will be made in December.

To see a list of last year’s winners, please click here.

Please note that the method for submitting application materials has changed since years past. Please read the application materials on ED’s website for more details.