New Race to the Top challenge announced

News release: The U.S. departments of Education and Health and Human Services have announced a new $500 million state-level grant competition, the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge. The program will reward states that create comprehensive plans to transform early learning systems with better coordination, clearer learning standards, and meaningful workforce development. Program leaders also want researchers, high-tech entrepreneurs, foundations, non-profits and others to engage with the early learning community and help close the school readiness gap.