Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 081612 001
Apply for ED GRANTS 081612 001
- The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Office of the Deputy Secretary (ODS), United States Department of Education.(ED) Race to the Top District CFDA Number 84.416" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.416 Race to the Top District Grants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 2, 2012 and posted on Aug 16, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 7, 2012 For local educational agencies located in States affected by Hurricane Sandy and for which the President has issued a major disaster declaration or an emergency declaration, the new deadline is 430 p.m. Washington, DC time on Wednesday, November 7, 2012. For local educational agencies everywhere else, the new deadline is 430 p.m. Washington, DC time on Friday, November 2, 2012. Applications Available August 16, 2012. Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply August 30, 2012. Notice of Intent to Apply August 30, 2012. We will be able to develop a more efficient process for reviewing grant applications if we know the approximate number of applicants that intend to apply for funding under this competition. Therefore, the Secretary strongly encourages each potential applicant to notify us of the applicants intent to submit an application for funding by completing a Web based form. When completing this form, applicants will provide (1) the applicants name and address (2) whether the applicant is applying as an individual LEA or as a consortium of LEAs (3) expected budget request and (4) contact person (and phone number and email). Applicants may access this form online at http://www2.ed.gov/surveys/intent rttd.html. Applicants that do not complete this form may still apply for funding. Note Submission of a notice of intent to apply is optional. Date of Application Webinar August 16 and 21, 2012. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications October 30, 2012.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $383,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- (1) Eligible applicants To be eligible for a grant under this competition (a) An applicant must be an individual LEA (as defined in this notice) or a consortium of LEAs from the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (i) LEAs may apply for all or a portion of their schools, for specific grades, or for subject area bands (e.g., lowest performing schools, secondary schools, schools connected by a feeder pattern, middle school math, or preschool through third grade). (ii) Consortia may include LEAs from multiple States. (iii) Each LEA may participate in only one Race to the Top District application. (b) An applicant must serve a minimum of 2,000 participating students (as defined in this notice) or may serve fewer than 2,000 participating students (as defined in this notice) provided those students are served by a consortium of at least 10 LEAs and at least 75 percent of the students served by each LEA are participating students (as defined in this notice). (c) At least 40 percent of participating students (as defined in this notice) across all participating schools (as defined in this notice) must be students from low income families, based on eligibility for free or reduced price lunch subsidies under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, or other poverty measures that LEAs use to make awards under section 1113(a) of the ESEA. If an applicant has not identified all participating schools (as defined in this notice) at the time of application, it must provide an assurance that within 100 days of the grant award it will meet this requirement. (d) An applicant must demonstrate its commitment to the core educational assurance areas (as defined in this notice), including, for each LEA included in an application, an assurance signed by the LEAs superintendent or CEO that (i) The LEA, at a minimum, will implement no later than the 2014 2015 school year (A) A teacher evaluation system (as defined in this notice) (B) A principal evaluation system (as defined in this notice) and (C) A superintendent evaluation (as defined in this notice) (ii) The LEA is committed to preparing all students for college or career, as demonstrated by (A) Being located in a State that has adopted college and career ready standards (as defined in this notice) or (B) Measuring all student progress and performance against college and career ready graduation requirements (as defined in this notice) (iii) The LEA has a robust data system that has, at a minimum (A) An individual teacher identifier with a teacher student match and (B) The capability to provide timely data back to educators and their supervisors on student growth (as defined in this notice) (iv) The LEA has the capability to receive or match student level preschool through 12th grade and higher education data and (v) The LEA ensures that any disclosure of or access to personally identifiable information in students education records complies with FERPA. (e) Required signatures for the LEA or lead LEA in a consortium are those of the superintendent or CEO, local school board president, and local teacher union or association president (where applicable).
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Opportunity Summary:
The Race to the Top District (RTT-D) grant opportunity (CFDA 84.416) was a discretionary, competitive grant program run by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of the Deputy Secretary, designed to push district-level reform based on what had been learned from earlier Race to the Top State competitions. The overall purpose was to support ambitious, locally led changes to teaching and learning that were expected to raise student achievement and improve educator effectiveness. In practical terms, the program aimed to help local educational agencies (LEAs) move beyond small pilots and implement coherent, district-driven improvement strategies that tie together higher standards, better use of data, and stronger systems for evaluating and supporting educators.
Funding for this competition was substantial, with an estimated total of $383,000,000 and an expectation of about 15 awards. There was no cost-sharing or matching requirement listed, meaning applicants were not required to contribute a non-federal match as a condition of receiving funds. The opportunity was posted on August 16, 2012, and applications were made available the same day. The original application deadline was October 30, 2012, but the closing schedule was adjusted: for most LEAs the deadline became 4:30 p.m. Washington, DC time on Friday, November 2, 2012, and for LEAs in states impacted by Hurricane Sandy that were covered by a Presidential disaster or emergency declaration, the deadline was extended to 4:30 p.m. Washington, DC time on Wednesday, November 7, 2012. The Department also held application webinars on August 16 and August 21, 2012 to help applicants understand the process and expectations.
Eligibility centered on public-school districts and groups of districts. Applicants had to be either (1) an individual LEA or (2) a consortium of LEAs, drawn from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico. LEAs had flexibility in how they defined the scope of participation: they could apply on behalf of all schools or only certain schools, grades, or subject-area groupings, such as the lowest-performing schools, a feeder pattern, secondary schools, or a band like preschool through third grade. Consortia were allowed to cross state lines. A key restriction was that each LEA could participate in only one RTT-D application, which prevented districts from joining multiple competing proposals in the same round.
The program also imposed minimum scale and poverty-targeting thresholds to ensure the work was meaningful and served students with significant needs. Generally, an applicant had to serve at least 2,000 participating students. If serving fewer than 2,000 participating students, the applicant could still qualify only if it applied as part of a consortium of at least 10 LEAs and at least 75 percent of the students served by each LEA were participating students, as defined in the notice. In addition, at least 40 percent of participating students across all participating schools had to be students from low-income families, typically measured through free or reduced-price lunch eligibility or other poverty measures used for Title I allocations under ESEA section 1113(a). If a district had not finalized its list of participating schools at the time of application, it could still apply but had to provide an assurance that it would meet the 40 percent low-income requirement within 100 days of receiving an award.
A major feature of eligibility was a set of required commitments tied to the program's "core educational assurance areas." Each LEA included in an application had to show readiness and commitment to implement key systems and policies, backed by formal assurances signed by district leadership. At minimum, each participating LEA had to commit to implementing, no later than the 2014-2015 school year, a teacher evaluation system, a principal evaluation system, and a superintendent evaluation. Applicants also had to demonstrate a commitment to preparing students for college and careers, either by being in a state that had adopted college- and career-ready standards or by measuring student progress and performance against college- and career-ready graduation requirements. On the data side, applicants had to have a robust data system that included an individual teacher identifier linked to a teacher-student match and the ability to return timely student growth information to educators and supervisors. They also needed the capability to receive or match student-level data spanning preschool through K-12 and into higher education, signaling an expectation for longitudinal tracking. Finally, applicants had to ensure compliance with FERPA for any access to or disclosure of personally identifiable information in student education records.
The application process was unusually specific about format and submission mechanics, reflecting the high-stakes nature of the competition and the Department's need for standardized review. Rather than submitting entirely through an online portal, applicants were required to submit the application electronically on a CD or DVD (with CD-ROM or DVD-ROM preferred) by mail or hand delivery. Only certain file formats were accepted: .DOC, .DOCX, .RTF, or .PDF, and filenames needed to clearly indicate which part of the application they contained. If an applicant submitted other file types, the Department stated it would not review that material. Applicants were also instructed not to password-protect files. The physical media itself had to be clearly labeled with identifying information such as the applicant's name, city, and state.
Beyond the electronic files, the Department required signed original signature pages depending on whether the applicant was a single LEA or a consortium. Individual LEA applicants had to submit signed originals of Parts IV, V, and VII. Consortium applicants had to submit signed originals of Parts IV, VI, and VII, plus signed memoranda of understanding from each member LEA as described in the application package (Part XIII). The Department strongly recommended that the CD/DVD include a searchable PDF containing the full application narrative and required budget tables (and noted that a scanned PDF would not be searchable), a separate PDF containing all required signature pages (which could be scanned), and separate copies of the completed electronic budget spreadsheets used for federal budget review.
There was also an optional but strongly encouraged "Notice of Intent to Apply" step. By August 30, 2012, prospective applicants were asked to complete a web-based form to help the Department anticipate review workload. The form collected basic planning information: applicant name and address, whether the application would be submitted by an individual LEA or a consortium, the expected budget request, and a point of contact with phone and email. Importantly, not filing a notice of intent did not disqualify an applicant; it was purely for planning purposes.
For official guidance, applicants were directed to the Federal Register notice inviting applications for FY 2012 new awards under RTT-D, which contained the authoritative details on requirements, priorities, performance measures, and submission instructions. Program and technical contacts were provided, including Julius Cotton for assistance accessing the announcement and a program office contact point through racetothetop.district@ed.gov, with program management listed under Meredith Farace at the Department of Education in Washington, DC.
Race to the Top District (RTT-D) Grant (CFDA 84.416) - FAQs
What is the Race to the Top District (RTT-D) grant (CFDA 84.416)?
Race to the Top District (RTT-D) (CFDA 84.416) was a discretionary, competitive grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of the Deputy Secretary. It was designed to advance district-level education reform based on lessons learned from the earlier Race to the Top State competitions.
What was the purpose of the RTT-D program?
The program aimed to support ambitious, locally led changes to teaching and learning that were expected to raise student achievement and improve educator effectiveness. In practical terms, RTT-D focused on helping local educational agencies (LEAs) move beyond small pilots and implement coherent, district-driven strategies that connect higher standards, improved use of data, and stronger systems for evaluating and supporting educators.
How much funding was available, and how many awards were expected?
The estimated total funding for this competition was $383,000,000, and the Department expected to make about 15 awards.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No cost-sharing or matching requirement was listed for this opportunity. Applicants were not required to provide a non-federal match as a condition of receiving funds.
When was the opportunity posted and when were applications available?
The opportunity was posted on August 16, 2012, and applications were made available the same day.
What were the application deadlines?
The original application deadline was October 30, 2012, but the closing schedule was adjusted. For most LEAs, the deadline became 4:30 p.m. Washington, DC time on Friday, November 2, 2012. For LEAs in states impacted by Hurricane Sandy that were covered by a Presidential disaster or emergency declaration, the deadline was extended to 4:30 p.m. Washington, DC time on Wednesday, November 7, 2012.
Were there application webinars?
Yes. The Department held application webinars on August 16 and August 21, 2012 to help applicants understand the process and expectations.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was centered on public-school districts and groups of districts. Applicants had to be either (1) an individual local educational agency (LEA) or (2) a consortium of LEAs from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico.
Could a consortium include LEAs from different states?
Yes. Consortia were allowed to cross state lines.
Could an LEA apply for only some schools or grades instead of the whole district?
Yes. LEAs could apply on behalf of all schools or only certain schools, grades, or subject-area groupings. Examples included the lowest-performing schools, a feeder pattern, secondary schools, or a grade band such as preschool through third grade.
Could an LEA participate in more than one RTT-D application?
No. Each LEA could participate in only one RTT-D application in the same round, which prevented districts from joining multiple competing proposals.
Was there a minimum number of students an applicant had to serve?
Yes. Generally, an applicant had to serve at least 2,000 participating students.
Is there any way to qualify if serving fewer than 2,000 participating students?
Yes, but only under specific conditions: the applicant could qualify if it applied as part of a consortium of at least 10 LEAs and at least 75 percent of the students served by each LEA were participating students (as defined in the notice).
Was there a low-income participation requirement?
Yes. At least 40 percent of participating students across all participating schools had to be students from low-income families, typically measured through free or reduced-price lunch eligibility or other poverty measures used for Title I allocations under ESEA section 1113(a).
What if an applicant had not finalized its participating schools by the time it applied?
An applicant could still apply, but it had to provide an assurance that it would meet the 40 percent low-income requirement within 100 days of receiving an award.
What were the required commitments related to the "core educational assurance areas"?
Each LEA included in an application had to demonstrate readiness and commitment to implement key systems and policies through formal assurances signed by district leadership.
What educator evaluation systems were required, and by when?
Each participating LEA had to commit to implementing, no later than the 2014-2015 school year: (1) a teacher evaluation system, (2) a principal evaluation system, and (3) a superintendent evaluation.
What was required related to college- and career-ready expectations for students?
Applicants had to demonstrate a commitment to preparing students for college and careers, either by being in a state that had adopted college- and career-ready standards or by measuring student progress and performance against college- and career-ready graduation requirements.
What data system capabilities were expected?
Applicants needed a robust data system that included an individual teacher identifier linked to a teacher-student match and the ability to return timely student growth information to educators and supervisors. Applicants also needed the capability to receive or match student-level data spanning preschool through K-12 and into higher education, reflecting an expectation for longitudinal tracking.
What privacy requirements applied to student information?
Applicants had to ensure compliance with FERPA for any access to or disclosure of personally identifiable information in student education records.
How were applications submitted?
Applications were required to be submitted electronically on a CD or DVD (with CD-ROM or DVD-ROM preferred) by mail or hand delivery. This was not a fully online submission process.
What file formats were accepted for application materials?
Only these formats were accepted: .DOC, .DOCX, .RTF, or .PDF. Filenames needed to clearly indicate which part of the application they contained. If other file types were submitted, the Department stated it would not review that material.
Were password-protected files allowed?
No. Applicants were instructed not to password-protect files.
Did the CD/DVD have to be labeled?
Yes. The physical media had to be clearly labeled with identifying information such as the applicant's name, city, and state.
Were original signatures required, and which parts needed to be signed?
Yes. Signed original signature pages were required, and the required parts depended on whether the applicant was a single LEA or a consortium.
Which original signed parts were required for an individual LEA applicant?
Individual LEA applicants had to submit signed originals of Parts IV, V, and VII.
Which original signed parts were required for a consortium applicant?
Consortium applicants had to submit signed originals of Parts IV, VI, and VII, plus signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) from each member LEA as described in the application package (Part XIII).
What application packaging did the Department strongly recommend for the CD/DVD contents?
The Department strongly recommended including: (1) a searchable PDF containing the full application narrative and required budget tables (noting that a scanned PDF would not be searchable), (2) a separate PDF containing all required signature pages (which could be scanned), and (3) separate copies of the completed electronic budget spreadsheets used for federal budget review.
What was the Notice of Intent to Apply, and was it required?
The Notice of Intent to Apply was an optional but strongly encouraged step. By August 30, 2012, prospective applicants were asked to complete a web-based form to help the Department anticipate review workload. Not filing a notice of intent did not disqualify an applicant.
What information did the Notice of Intent to Apply form request?
The form collected basic planning information, including the applicant name and address, whether the application would be submitted by an individual LEA or a consortium, the expected budget request, and a point of contact with phone and email.
Where could applicants find the official and authoritative program requirements?
Applicants were directed to the Federal Register notice inviting applications for FY 2012 new awards under RTT-D. That notice contained the authoritative details on requirements, priorities, performance measures, and submission instructions.
Who were the listed contacts for help or program information?
Contacts included Julius Cotton for assistance accessing the announcement, and a program office contact point via racetothetop.district@ed.gov. Program management was listed under Meredith Farace at the Department of Education in Washington, DC.
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