State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Announces California Will Participate in Phase 2 of Federal Race to the Top Competition
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell announced today that California would continue its efforts to improve student achievement and will seek federal funding through Phase 2 of the Race to the Top competition to support this work.
"California is still in the Race to the Top," O'Connell said. "California remains focused on finding ways to more effectively prepare all students for success in college and careers. In Phase 2 of the Race to the Top competition, we will work with key districts and their communities that are committed to implement systemic changes that produce results for students locally, and use their success and focus on continuous improvement to inform our statewide plan. Through the Race to the Top we will foster access to effective teachers for all students, the use of data to support instruction, adoption of common core state standards, and the development of aligned assessments.
"At stake is as much as $700 million in federal funds to propel these key education reforms. It will take an intensive and creative effort to meet the time frame before us. This is an important opportunity to improve our ability to close the achievement gap and prepare all students for success in the competitive global economy. In that spirit and with the assurances of U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan that our application would receive due consideration, we will try again."
Applications for the second round of Race to the Top funding are due June 1, 2010.
