Gov. Gregoire applauds local school districts for Racing to the Top

For Immediate Release: May 19, 2010

OLYMPIA - Gov. Chris Gregoire, State Superintendent Randy Dorn and State Board of Education Chairman Jeff Vincent today issued the following statement regarding the status of Washington state�s application for federal Race to the Top education grants:

�As of this morning, we now have 251 districts that have signed on in support of Washington state�s Race to the Top application. These districts represent 96% of all students in our state. There will likely be paperwork received from a few more districts arriving in the mail in the next few days. To those districts and all the others that have already pledged their support, we say, �Welcome aboard.�

�A year ago, we decided we were going after Race to the Top funds our way, the Washington way. The strong support we have received from districts represents the great diversity of our state. Our large, urban districts - Seattle, Tacoma and Spokane - have signed on. Small districts such as Wishkah Valley and Union Gap are on board. What�s more, we have representation from all parts of the state such as Ridgefield, Ritzville, Cheney, Colville, Auburn and Issaquah. This strength of support both in depth and breadth is a testament to the hard work that has been achieved to bring stakeholders together. Their effort shows the continuing commitment to improve our schools across the entire state.

�During the next few weeks, we will be working to complete our application, which is now stronger because of this local support. Our application will articulate an education reform plan that is right for our state, and one that will actually be implemented in our classrooms. Should we be successful, Washington will receive $250 million to help move us toward our goal of setting every Washington child on the path to a lifetime of success from cradle to career.�

For a detailed list of school districts participating, see: www.waracetothetop.org

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