Race to the Top
Submit Questions to: RTTT@mail.nysed.gov
Important Updates
New York Wins Nearly $700M in Race to the Top Competition
August 24, 2010New York State's Race to the Top Application
- Participating LEAs must complete a Final Scope of Work
- Requests for Information
- Requests for Proposals
- New York State A Finalist for Race to the Top Funding: Statement by Education Commissioner David Steiner - July 27, 2010
- Round 1 Results: Statement by Education Commissioner David Steiner on New York State's Race to the Top Application - March 29, 2010
- What is Race to the Top?
New York State's Race to the Top Application
New York State submitted its Phase II Race to the Top application to the United States Education Department on Tuesday, June 1. The application and related documents are posted below:
NYS_RTTT_Application Phase 2 - Selection Criteria and Competition Priorities (PDF) (4.0 MB)
NYS_Race_to_the_Top_Appendices (PDF) (28.8 MB)
New York State Participating LEA Memorandum of Understanding and Preliminary Scope of Work (Exhibit I) (PDF) (63 KB)
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (PDF) (57 KB)
The Regents Education Reform Plan and New York State's Race to the Top (RTTT) Application Summary
Legislation in Support of Race to the Top Application
Final Scope of Work
Participating LEAs must complete a Final Scope of Work. Please check our RTTT webpage frequently at http://usny.nysed.gov/rttt/ and all forms and guidance documents will be posted there as soon as they are available. You can also contact the Office of District Services at 518-474-5520.
Requests for Information (RFI)
The Department shall issue Requests for Information (RFI) to invite interested parties to share information on potential products and/or services that would aid the Department and LEAs in implementing RTTT initiatives. Please bookmark www.nyscr.org and check the New York State Contract Register website frequently for future information.
Requests for Proposals (RFP)
The Department shall issue multiple Requests for Proposals (RFP) to assist in the planning, development and implementation of the various State level projects contained in the NYS approved RTTT application. Please bookmark http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/compcontracts/compcontracts.html and check this website for competitive procurement opportunities.
What is Race to the Top?
Race to the Top is a competitive U.S. Education Department grant that is open to State Education Departments. New York State is eligible to receive up to $700 Million in funds which would allow us to accelerate our combined efforts across the state.
To qualify for Race to the Top funding, states are required to advance reforms around four specific areas:
- Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college, the workplace and the global economy;
- Building data systems that measure student growth and success, and inform teachers and principals about how they can improve instruction;
- Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals, especially where they are needed most; and
- Turning around our lowest-achieving schools.
New York is addressing the Race to the Top challenge through a cohesive plan that leverages and aligns our state resources and practices to improve education outcomes for all our students and close gaps in achievement.
50% of each winning state’s award will be passed through to participating Local Education Agencies (LEAs). USED requires each state to enter into a Race To The Top Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with each participating LEA. The MOU must be signed by the superintendent, and preferably also by the local school board president and the local education union president (if applicable). Although this MOU is considered binding, LEAs will have 90 days following the award of funds to the State to submit comprehensive work plans detailing how the funds will be used to carry out the state's Race to the Top plans.
Related Materials:
Statement by Education Commissioner David Steiner, an Agenda for Education Reform in NYS - December 14, 2009