"RACE TO THE TOP" FUND
PROCESS MOVING FORWARD

The process established by Education Secretary Arne Duncan for the $4.35 billion “Race to the Top” program is moving forward with a request for applications expected to be issued by late fall. Over 1,100 people and organizations submitted comments during the summer, followed by a soliciation for individuals or organizations to submit the names of proposed reviewers of grant applications. With funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the “Race to the Top” Fund is the largest-ever federal investment in educational reform. The Education Department plans to make grants in two phases,. Final regulations will be issued in October, applications for Phase 1 will be due in December, and grants will go out early next year. The second round of applications will likely be due in late spring and final grants will be made in September 2010. See details.

RURAL RESEARCH CENTER
ANNOUNCES NOVEMBER MEET

The National Research Center on Rural Education Support will sponsor a conference to report its findings from its three-year research into rural education across the nation. The conference November 5-6 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will feature three leaders in the field: Dr. Lynn Okagaki of the U.S. Department of Education; Dr. Mark Greenberg from Pennsylvania State University, and Dr. Rachel Tompkins of the Rural School and Community Trust. The conference will cover seven areas of special concern to parents and teacher of students in rural and small town schools. Further information and registration is available at the website, www.nrcres.org.