The Race to the Top Fund was announced by President Barack Obama and US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in January 2009. Applications are due to the US Department of Education by January 19, 2010. More information is available here: Race to the Top Program. The $4.35 billion in federal funding available through this program represents an unprecedented opportunity for education reform in our nation, and the District of Columbia is at the center of education reform ready to submit an excellent application.

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education and the State Board of Education has been gathering input on DC's application for these funds over the past couple months. A community forum to receive input from education stakeholders was held in December and another will be held on January 11.

The Department of Education offers the following resources and links as a way for you to learn more general Race to the Top information and DC's application.

• US Ed Department Race to the Top Website
• Regulations for the Race to the Top Funds*
• Fact Sheet*
• The Common Core State Standards Initiative
• December 15, 2009 Race to the Top Community Forum Presentation - Friendship Charter School, Chamberlain Campus*
• January 11, 2010 Race to the Top Community Forum Presentation - Charles Sumner School*
• DCPS MOU*
• Charter MOU*
• Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton's letter of support*
• DC Council Chairman Vincent Gray's letter of support*
• Race to the Top Application Cover Letter (January 19, 2010)*
• DC's Application for Race to the Top (January 19, 2010)*
• Application Appendices*