CEC Policy Insider

More Early Learning Challenge Race to the Top Grants On The Way!

The U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced they will invest the majority of the 2013 Race to the Top funds for a second Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge competition. About $370 million will be available this year for states to develop new approaches to increase high-quality early learning opportunities and close the school readiness gap. This announcement mirrors the emphasis the Administration placed on this issue in its FY2014 Budget proposal and supports its intention to expand access to high-quality early learning programs for all children, especially those in disadvantaged communities.

"Expanding access to high-quality early learning opportunities is simply one of the best investments we can make in our country, and these funds can help states develop and strengthen programs that serve America's youngest learners," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "Getting our children off to a strong start not only increases their individual chances for lifelong success, it helps create the conditions for a thriving middle class that will forge the path into a bright future for our entire country."

The Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge is part of the Obama Administration's comprehensive early learning agenda. The program is jointly administered by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the two agencies are continuing to work closely together on new initiatives to expand and improve services for children from birth through age 5.

Last week, President Obama detailed his FY 2014 budget proposal, which would invest $75 billion over 10 years in fully offset funding to create new partnerships with states and provide high-quality preschool to more communities, helping ensure that all children enter kindergarten ready to learn. Read CEC’s analysis of President Obama’s budget proposal and our thoughts on the Early Learning Challenge Grants. Finally, want to know more? Read specifics about the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge.

Race to the Top: Early Learning Challenge Grants Awarded to Five More States

Colorado, New Mexico, Illinois, Oregon and Wisconsin were all awarded grants under the Race to the Top: Early Learning Challenge grant program which will split $133 million among the winning states who demonstrated innovative plans to improve quality and expand access to early learning programs in their states. These five states join the nine winners from the first round of applications last year.

The Early Learning Challenge grant fund is focused on improving and providing support to state programs that improve access to early learning and development for young children by increasing the percentage of young children from disadvantaged backgrounds in high quality early learning programs and implement high quality systems of education for infants, toddlers and preschool aged children.

In the first year of the program grants were awarded to California, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington in 2011. The U.S. Department of Education, with more modest funding opportunities for 2012, invited the next five highest scoring applicants to revise their plans to allow for up to 50% of original funding.

CEC continues to monitor the Race to the Top program and the efforts made in states across the country to improve quality and accessibility in early learning. For more information on the Early Learning Challenge grants, please click here.

Does Obama’s Win Signal Changes for Education in Second Term?

Last night’s election results – which secured wins for President Obama, Senate democrats and House republicans – have us all speculating what the next four years will hold for education policy issues.  Here are a few initial observations:

• Education Funding will Still Face Hurdles: Although President Obama has been historically supportive of increasing funding for education programs, we cannot forget that Congress is the branch of government that actually sets funding levels and the impact of the political split between a Republican-led House of Representatives and a Democratic-led Senate will likely result in a continuation of the recent fiscal debates. 

Election Day is In 53 Days, First Debate in 3 Weeks; Get Ready with CEC’s Guide to this Presidential Election

Election Day is in only 53 days – that’s less than 2 months! In the meantime, there are still plenty of opportunities for you to learn more about the candidates, their platforms and their visions for America and education. The first debate is a mere 21 days away. That’s just 3 weeks until the first debate.

Presidential Election Debates and Topics:
October 3 -- Domestic Policy (University of Denver)
October 11 -- Vice Presidential debate (Centre College)
October 16 -- Town Meeting Style (Hofstra University)
October 22 -- Foreign Policy (Lynn University)

As Election Day approaches, get ready with CEC’s I Educate, I Participate: 2012 Presidential Election Voter Education Guide. This guide is complete with party platforms and candidate positions on education, classroom resources and information about voter registration and polling places, and will be your one-stop shop to prepare for November 6.

CEC is non-partisan and does not support or oppose any political party or candidate.

Nearly 900 Districts Intend to Apply for the Race to the Top District Grant Competition

Almost 900 districts have submitted their intent to apply for the Race to the Top districts grants, which will provide in total $400 million to local school districts that are making strives to personalize learning, close achievement gaps and prepare each student for college and their careers. The application process will focus on programs and policies that personalize education for their students and pay particular attention to the relationship between students and teachers.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the Race to the Top Districts grant competition is seeking Local Education Agencies (LEAs) that have the policies and infrastructure in place to improve student outcomes by deepening and accelerating each student’s learning. The application process will also look for equality and access in LEA applications, with a focus on achieving career or college readiness for each student regardless of background.

The intent to apply is not mandatory or binding. For more information on the application process, please click here. The final applications are due October 30. To see a list of districts which have submitted intent to apply, please click here.

The Race to the Top competition for school districts comes after the Administration’s $4.35 billion program for states.  To date, 11 states and the District of Columbia have received Race to the Top grants which have spurred both controversy for some of their requirements (i.e. tying student achievement to teacher evaluation) and appreciation for additional funding during difficult economic times (see state annual performance reports here).  

As the cornerstone of the Obama Administration’s education agenda, CEC has provided feedback to policymakers, highlighting considerations for special education and the professionals who work on behalf of students with disabilities (see related stories here).