CONTACT: JIM MORRIS |
Vol. 43, No. 78
November 13, 2009
Missouri Will Enter First Round of “Race to the Top”
Commissioner of Education Chris L. Nicastro said today that she intends for Missouri to submit a proposal in January for the first round of the federal “Race to the Top” initiative.
Yesterday, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan released the final application and rules that states must follow to submit proposals for a share of more than $4 billion in Race to the Top education funding.
“We are on a very fast track to develop a quality proposal, and it will be challenging to meet the January 19 deadline for first-round applications, but we intend to be in the first group,” Nicastro said.
“Secretary Duncan said that Race to the Top funds will be awarded to the ‘states that have led the way in reform and will show the way for the rest of the country to follow.’ There is no question that Missouri’s strong records in this area positions us to continue to be a leader for future educational reform,” she said.
Initially, Missouri is grouped with eight other states, based on size, that would permit an application for between $150 million and $250 million in Race to the Top funding. The population-based categories are not fixed, however, and Missouri’s application could be for a larger amount.
Commissioner Nicastro will host a special forum in Jefferson City on Monday, Nov. 23, for nearly 300 invited educators, lawmakers and other stakeholders who will be asked to provide ideas and input on the development of Missouri’s “RT3” plan. Additional opportunities for public input will be announced at that meeting.
The state proposal must be submitted jointly by Gov. Jay Nixon, the Commissioner of Education and the State Board of Education.