Office of Elementary & Secondary Education; Overview Information: Race to the Top Fund (ARRA) CFDA 84.395

The Office of Elementary & Secondary Education has introduced a $4.35 billion grant program named Race to the Top Fund (ARRA), under the initiative code CFDA 84.395. This competitive program aims to stimulate innovative educational reform and finance ambitious education improvement plans in targeted states.

The grant concerns primarily four key areas of reform. Firstly, enhancing educational methodologies by adopting standards and assessments bench-marked on international levels, thereby preparing students for college and the workplace. Secondly, recruitment, training, retention and rewarding of effective teachers and principals. The third emphasis is on creating comprehensive data systems for measuring student success and providing feedback for educators' self-improvement. Lastly, turning around low-performing schools.

The ultimate objectives of this grant are, firstly, to significantly improve student achievement. Secondly, to boost high school graduation rates and equip students for excelling in college and careers. Lastly, it aims at narrowing down achievement gaps.

The grant allocation for this Race to the Top program will be divided over two phases. States ready to apply can participate in Phase 1, set for late 2009. For states needing more time to prepare, Phase 2 is open in the spring of 2010. Therefore, if states were not successful in receiving grants in Phase 1, they have the chance to reapply for funding in Phase 2, together with first-time applicants. However, those who were granted in Phase 1 are not eligible for additional funds in Phase 2. The Office will release specific deadlines for both phases to invite applications for the Race to the Top program.