Fellow Rhode Islanders,

 

Thanks so much to all of you who gave of your time to share ideas and provide feedback on Rhode Island’s Race to the Top application. From the community forums to the various draft-reading days that were held here at RIDE, hundreds of Rhode Islanders participated in the development of our application. I know that our proposal is stronger because of your invaluable input and the spirit of collaboration that you have demonstrated.

All but two of Rhode Island’s school districts, all of our state schools, and all of our charter schools have signed on in support of our Race to the Top application. We are fortunate to have the enthusiastic support of parent, student, and community groups, the business community, and our state’s Governor and General Assembly 

 

Thank you all for your support and your hard work!

 

 Deborah A. Gist, Commissioner

 

 

About Race to the Top

 

Race to the Top is a $4.3 billion education reform fund, made available by the U.S. Department of Education as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Phase 1 Race to the Top applications were due to the U.S. Department of Education on January 19, and 40 states plus the District of Columbia applied. By April, we will learn how our application fared, and, if we are not awarded Race to the Top grant funds in Phase 1, we will apply again in June for Phase 2. For more about the Race to the Top Fund, please visit the U.S. Department of Education website.

Our Proposal to Transform Education in Rhode Island

 

·         Rhode Island’s Phase 1 Race to the Top Application

·         Rhode Island's Phase 1 Race to the Top Budget

·         Conceptual Framework

Our Race to the Top application is closely aligned with the priorities and objectives laid out in our strategic plan, Transforming Education in Rhode Island:

·         Transforming Education in Rhode Island

 

Additional Information

 

·         Information on the five Race to the Top Community Forums held in 2009

·         News release: Rhode Island Submits Race to the Top Proposal

·         News release: School Districts Overwhelmingly Support Race to the Top Proposal

·         News release: Commissioner Gist Invites Public to Review Race to the Top Application