Fellow Rhode Islanders,

On August 24, 2010, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced Rhode Island as a winner in the Race to the Top grant competition!  Nine states and the District of Columbia were awarded Race to the Top funding in this second phase of the competition, joining Tennessee and Delaware, the Phase I awardees, in the winners' circle.

Rhode Island’s Phase 2 Race to the Top application came in 5th out of the 35 states, plus the District of Columbia, that applied. Rhode Island won $75 million to help us implement our plan to transform education in our state.

Thanks so much to all of you who provided feedback on and sent letters of support for Rhode Island’s Race to the Top application. I know that our proposal was stronger because of your invaluable input and the spirit of collaboration in our state!

We will periodically update this page with information and resources for school districts, educators, parents, students, and communities.

Deborah A. Gist
Commissioner



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). Awards in the Race to the Top competition went to states that are leading the way with ambitious yet achievable plans for implementing coherent, compelling, and comprehensive education reform. For more about the Race to the Top Fund, please visit the U.S. Department of Education website.

• Race to the Top Projects Overview for LEA Leadership
• Implementation Timeline
• Frequently Asked Questions about Race to the Top Implementation in Rhode Island
• Budget Presentation to RI Association of School Business Officials - November 14, 2011

Implementation Updates

U.S. Department of Education Annual Performance Report on Rhode Island Race to the Top Year One
The First Six Months: August 24, 2010 - February 28, 2011
Year One, Quarter Three: March 1, 2011 - May 31, 2011

• Rhode Island's Approved Race to the Top Performance Monitoring Plan
• CLO Grouping and Calendar

• Approved Scopes of Work and Budgets
• Rhode Island's Phase II Race to the Top Application and Budget
• An Overview of Rhode Island's Race to the Top
• 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.

LEA Budget Preparation Process

LEA Budget Webinar 2.16.11
LEA Budget Webinar 2.18.11
LEA Budget Webinar 2.23.11

• Timeline for 90-Day Planning Period
• LEA Scope of Work Template
• Q&A Webinar on Completing the LEA SOW: 10/8/10
• Q&A Webinar on Completing the LEA SOW: 10/13/10
• Q&A Webinar on Completing the LEA SOW: 10/20/10
• Q&A Webinar on Completing the LEA SOW: 11/03/10
• Q&A Webinar on Completing the LEA SOW: 11/10/10
• FAQs on Completing the LEA SOW for Race to the Top

• Race to the Top Implementation: Moving Forward Together - 12132011 - Sheraton

• Moving Race to the Top Implemenation Forward - 06152011 - Sheraton
• Video Message from Commissioner Gist to RI Educators

• Changes Made in the Phase II Application
  

• Meeting for district representatives – 4/15/10
• Steering Committee meeting – 4/26/10
• Meeting for district representatives – 4/27/10
• Meeting for teachers joint-sponsored by RIFTHP, NEARI, and RIDE – 4/28/10
• Governor’s symposium on educator evaluation – 4/29/10
• Meeting for principals joint-sponsored by RIASP, RIMLE, RIASCD, and RIDE – 4/30/10

• Phase I Race to the Top Community Forums.