The ARRA provides $4.3 billion for the
Race to the Top Fund (referred to in the statute as the State
Incentive Grant Fund). This is a competitive grant program. The
purpose of the program is to encourage and reward States that are
creating the conditions for education innovation and reform;
achieving significant improvement in student outcomes, including
making substantial gains in student achievement, closing
achievement gaps, improving high school graduation rates, and
ensuring student preparation for success in college and careers;
and implementing ambitious plans in four core education reform
areas: (a) adopting internationally-benchmarked standards and
assessments that prepare students for success in college and the
workplace; (b) building data systems that measure student success
and inform teachers and principals in how they can improve their
practices; (c) increasing teacher effectiveness and achieving
equity in teacher distribution; and (d) turning around our
lowest-achieving schools. The U.S. Department of Education (the
Department) will collect this data from the 12 Race to the Top
grantee states to inform its review of grantee implementation,
outcomes, oversight, and accountability. The Department will use
these forms to inform on-site visits, "stocktake" meetings with
Implementation and Support Unit (ISU) leadership at the Department,
and annual reports for individual grantees and the grant program as
a whole. In order to allow for a comprehensive program review of
the Race to the Top grantees, we are requesting a 3 year clearance
with this form.
PL:
Pub.L. 111 - 5 14006 Name of Law: American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.