Early Learning Challenge
In December 2011, Rhode Island was one of nine states awarded grants from the $500 million Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge fund, a competitive grant program jointly administered by the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services. Rhode Island was awarded $50 million over four years to improve early learning and development opportunities for Rhode Island's young children.
The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) is the lead agency for this initiative. The partnership includes the Department of Human Services, the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Youth and Families. The Rhode Island Early Learning Council provides ongoing leadership for Rhode Island's Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge effort. (Learn more about the RI Early Learning Council and the Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge Grant Management alignment and leadership.)
As part of the grant implementation process, seven Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge projects have been created, each focusing on distinct areas highlighted in Rhode Island’s grant application. The projects – Early Learning Workforce Development, Program Quality Improvement, Program Quality Standards Alignment and Measurement, Early Learning Standards and Development, Child Assessment, Early Learning Data System, and Grant Management – are each led by designated state department staff and are supported by a corresponding RI Early Learning Council subcommittee.
See the Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge 2012 update here
See the Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge Annual Performance Report (2012) here
See the Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge Annual Performace Report Summary (2012) here
RI Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge Information Sheet - March 2012
Scopes of Work
Scopes of Work project level budget tables
June 1, 2012 Letter to Early Learning Providers
July 9, 2012 BrightStars Enrollment Letter/Packet
Communications
- Monthly Report to the Early Learning Council, April 2013
- Monthly Report to the Early Learning Council, March 2013
As the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge moves from our first year of infrastructure building to implementation we recognize there may be emerging issues for review and consideration and questions from the community that need to be addressed. In order to be as responsive and as transparent as we can, the RTT-ELC team and partnering agencies have drafted five Informational Briefs. For more information on the Informartional briefs, please click here. This first set of Informational Briefs address the following areas:
- Program Standards and Alignment
- Building a High Quality Workforce
- Early Learning Development Standards
- Data Governance
- Program Supports
Application and supporting materials
RI's completed application
Reform Strategy Overview
Letters of Support - Part I
Letters of Support - Part II
Letters of Support - Part III
Letters of Support - Part IV
RI Score Sheet
Reviewer's Comments and Scores
Media coverage
Report: RI childcare system needs upgrade, The Providence Journal, April 30, 2013
Early childhood potential, The Providence Journal, May 6, 2013
