Preparing Your District for the Race to the Top Competition

This webinar was held on September 10, 2012. You may access the recording by clicking on the link below.

http://cosn.adobeconnect.com/p1bjm0bwoa5/

Learn more about the first-ever US Department of Education national competition for Race to the Top-District (RttT-District) competition. RTT-District will provide nearly $400 million to support school districts in implementing local education reforms that personalize instruction, close achievement gaps, and take full advantage of 21^stcentury tools that prepare each student for college and careers. Hear the facts from a senior Department official, and then engage in a thought-provoking conversation about how to pursue personalized learning in formal education, as well as tips for successful federal grant proposals.

Moderator

Donna Williamson, Technology Director, Mountain Brook City Board of Education

Speakers

Mike Evans, i3 Project Director, Forsyth County Schools
Paula Love, Vice President Research and Funding, Red Rock Reports
Tom Vander Ark (Invited), Getting Smart
Ann Whalen, Deputy Secretary, Director, Policy and Program Implementation, Implementation and Support Unit, U.S. Department of Education
Mary Ann Wolf, Wolf Ed

Background on RttT:

The program criteria invites applications from districts or groups of districts proposing to serve at least 2,000 students -- or groups of 10 or more districts proposing to serve less than 2,000 students -- with at least 40% of participating students (across all participating schools) qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Districts will choose to apply for funding to support learning strategies that personalize education in all or a set of schools, within specific grade levels or select subjects. Moreover, districts must demonstrate a commitment to Race to the Top’s four core reform areas and have sign-off on their plan from the local superintendent, local school board president, and local teacher union/association president (where applicable). USED plans to support high-quality proposals from across a variety of districts, including rural and non-rural, as well as those participating in a Race to the Top state grant and those not participating. The program offers competitive preference to applicants that form partnerships with public and private organizations to sustain their work and provide services to help meet students’ academic, social, and emotional needs and enhance their ability to succeed. USED expects to make 15 to 25 awards. Awards will range from $5 million to $40 million, depending on the population served through the plan. Applications are due October 30. Grants will be announced no later than December 31.

Learn more about the Race to the Top program on the U.S. Department of Education site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources:

A guide to personalizing learning
Innosight Institute

Innovate to Educate: A guide to personalizing learning: System (Re)Design for Learning
SIIA, in collaboration with ASCD & CCSSO

BUILDING OUR 21^st CENTURY LEARNING COMMUNITY
by Jon Madian

A New Day for Learning
Time, Learning, and Afterschool Task Force (2007, January). A New Day for Learning. C.S. Mott Foundation

Learning Analytics: Definitions, Processes and Potential
Tanya Elias
January, 2011

The Netflix Effect: When Software Suggests Students' Courses
by Jeffrey R. Young

Next Generation Learners: A Framework for Action
CCSSO
July 13, 2009

Update: College and Career Readiness Framework
CCSSO Innovation Lab Network
Lab Chiefs Meeting, 2012 Summer Institute
July 14, 2012

Blogs by Tom Vander Ark:

RTT-District: Scaling Personalizing Innovations

35 Blogs for Districts Planning for Personalization