Today Rhode Island was among the winners of a Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge grant announced at a White House ceremony today, which was also streamed live at 10 a.m.
Rhode Island is one of only nine states to win a share of the $500 million Race to the Top funds. Rhode Island was eligible to apply for up to $50 million. Thirty-five states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico applied. The winning states, along with Rhode Island, are California, Deleware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Caroline, Ohio and Washington.
As show on Rhode Island Department of Education's website, their was specific criteria the state needed to meet. The state's application had to demonstrate how it will improve the quality of Early Learning and Development programs by integrating and aligning resources and policies across participating State agencies and by designing and implementing a common, statewide tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System.
Commissioner of Education Deborah Gist and Elizabeth Burke-Bryant, Rhode Island Kids Count co-chaired the Rhode Island Early Learning Council. Their hard work and collaboration has proven a win for Rhode Island's early learning.
This grant will enable for Rhode Island to continue their work on the quality and accessibility of early learning programs across the state. The exact amount Rhode Island will receive is not yet available. Rhode Island will have the chance to lay the ground work for education reform starting at the earliest age and in helping all children become Kindergarten ready for the best long-term outcome.
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