Race to the Top Program Review Protocols

Race to the Top

Progress Update

State: _________________________

Part A: In preparation for monthly calls, States must answer the following questions.

1. What were the State’s key accomplishments and challenges this past month?

2. Is the State on track to meet the goals and timelines associated with the activities outlined in its scope of work? If not, what strategies is the State employing in order to meet its goals?

3. How can the Department help the State meet its goals?

Part B: In preparation for monthly calls, States must answer the following questions for two application sub-criterion (e.g. (A)(2) and (D)(4) ¹. In preparation of the on-site program review, the States must update applicable questions (i.e., those for which there is new information) and provide appropriate documentation to substantiate its responses for all relevant application sub-criterion ²

Application Sub-criterion (e.g. A2):³

States goals for this sub-criterion:

Relevant projects:

1. What is the extent of the State’s progress toward meeting the goals and performance measures and implementing the activities that are included in its approved scope of work for this sub-criterion?

2. What methods, tools, and processes is the State using to determine the progress toward the goals and performance measures and the quality of implementation of the activities described for this application sub-criterion?

3. What is the State’s assessment of its quality of implementation to date?

4. If the State is not on track to meet the goals, performance measures, timelines and quality of implementation related to this sub-criterion as outlined in its approved scope of work, why not, and what strategies is the State employing in order to meet its goals and performance measures?

5. What are the obstacles and/or risks that could impact the State’s ability to meet its goals and performance measures related to this sub-criterion?

Evaluation: Based on the responses to the previous question, evaluate the State’s performance and progress to date for this sub-criterion (choose one):

Red (1) Orange (2) Yellow (3) Green (4)⁴

Part C: In preparation of the annual on-site review, the State must identify critical milestones for each sub-criterion that are necessary for meeting relevant performance measures.

1. Identify 2 to 3 critical milestones that are necessary to meet the State’s performance measures for each sub-criterion.

1 On each monthly call, program officers and states should work together to select two sub-criteria for the following month.

2 Note that States will only be required to submit documentation for the on-site program review, not for monthly calls. States should work with their Program Officers to determine relevant state-specific documentation.

3 All highlighted fields will be pre-populated by the Department Program Officer prior to State completion.

4 Red – substantially off-track and/or has significant quality concerns; urgent and decisive action is required; Orange – off-track and/or there are quality concerns; many aspects require significant attention;; Yellow – generally on-track and of high or good quality; only a few aspects require additional attention; Green – on-track with high quality.