Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge
The Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) initiative was announced on May 25, 2011, by the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The $500 million state-level grant competition will reward states that create comprehensive plans to transform early learning systems for children, birth to age five, with better coordination and assessment mechanisms, clearer learning standards, and meaningful workforce development and family engagement initiatives. This grant requires other state agencies that administer specific programs to participate by signing a Memorandum of Understanding.
The RTT-ELC grant competition will focus on improving early learning and development programs for young children by supporting States' efforts to:
- increase the number and percentage of low-income and disadvantaged children in each age group of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who are enrolled in high-quality early learning programs;
- design and implement an integrated system of high-quality early learning programs and services; and
- ensure that any use of assessments conforms with the recommendations of the National Research Council's reports on early childhood.
California could receive up to $100 million if its application is approved.
Below is California's RTT-ELC Federal Application that was submitted to the U.S. Department of Education on October 19, 2011.
- Governor's Letter to the U.S. Department of Education (PDF; 451KB; 2pp.)
- California's RTT-ELC Federal Application - Body (PDF; 8.6MB; 225pp.)
- California's RTT-ELC Federal Application - Appendices (PDF; 70MB; 313pp.)
- California's RTT-ELC Federal Application - Required Signature (PDF; 4.6MB; 5pp.)
