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Louisiana to use Race to the Top funding to prepare for new standards

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2011 17:20 PM



The U.S. Department of Education recently announced the names of the seven states that will each receive a portion of Race to the Top Round 3 funding. Of the $200 million that was set aside for these states to share, Louisiana will receive approximately $17.4 million, the Shreveport Times reported.

In order for Louisiana to be eligible for this funding, which is designed to improve student achievement, the state had to submit an application detailing the ways in which they would spend the money.

State education officials said that they would use a portion of the money to prepare for the transition to the Common Core State Standards, which Louisiana adopted on July 1, 2010. According to the news outlet, teachers and staff working at school districts throughout the state will receive research-based and grade-specific training.

Louisiana will also direct a portion of the money towards the development of more classes for gifted students, as well as the purchase of new educational resources.

"Race to the Top has been a pivotal program that has generated more progress in improving our nation’s education system over the last three years than we’ve seen over the last decade," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in a statement.


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