Chairman Miller Statement on Race to the Top Expansion
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement today after President Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced plans to strengthen efforts to improve the nation’s schools by expanding the Race to the Top grant program. Their proposal includes a funding request of $1.35 billion for the program in the FY 2011 budget and allowing districts to apply for funds, along with states. Today marks the deadline for the first round of Race to the Top grants. Thirty states have announced their intention to apply for funding.“It's exciting that the Obama administration plans to commit additional resources to empower both states and districts to significantly improve our schools. As states and districts lead the way, the federal government can be a strong partner in reform by upholding the integrity of the program and ensuring these resources are used as intended to help leverage real change."
Race to the Top was enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and provides grants to states that commit to four key areas of reform: Designing rigorous standards linked to high-quality assessments, recruiting and retaining great teachers, implementing data systems and using effective approaches to turn-around low-performing schools.
To learn more about Race to the Top, click here.
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