Washington�s Race to the Top begins; school districts across state urged to participate

For Immediate Release: April 7, 2010

TUKWILA � Less than two weeks after Gov. Chris Gregoire signed education reform legislation, Washington state kicks off its application process for a share of $3.4 billion in federal Race to the Top funding. Joined by Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn and State Board of Education Chair Jeff Vincent, Gregoire announced the start of Washington�s Race to the Top application at Foster High School in Tukwila. They are asking all 295 school districts to sign on and participate in the unprecedented federal Race to the Top competition.

�The legislation passed this year gives us the tools to successfully compete for Race to the Top funds,� said Gregoire. �Closing the achievement gap, creating equal opportunities for success, supporting innovation in our schools, and developing the finest teachers, principals and education leaders in the country is critical to our future and will set every Washington child on the path to a lifetime of success from cradle to career.�

School districts have until May 17 to return the Partnership Agreement and become part of the application. The state will then finalize its application and submit it to the U.S. Department of Education by June 1. The winners in Round Two will be announced in September, and school districts will then have 90 days to submit detailed work plans.

This year, Washington state made significant gains with the passage of education reform legislation (SB6696), which will improve the quality of instruction in classrooms, update evaluation standards for teachers and principals, and turn around low-performing schools. With key stakeholders collaborating closely on reform, the state has an opportunity to make innovative changes needed to improve student learning in every classroom.

�The Race to the Top competition is a great opportunity for Washington,� said Randy Dorn, Superintendent of Public Education. �More importantly, it�s the launching pad to move forward with broad, statewide education reform that will prepare graduating students to succeed in college, careers, and life.�

Based on the U.S. Department of Education�s evaluation of applications so far, states that have done well had very high participation from districts and teachers� unions and demonstrated how a large number of students would benefit.

�We know that participation is crucial in winning these dollars, so we�re asking every district to sign on and support our students,� said Jeff Vincent, Chair of the Washington State Board of Education. �We�re also encouraging them to be daring in their visions for change and progress.�