This collection
is approved under an emergency clearance for 6 months. If the
Department chooses to use this application for more than the
approved 6 months, they will need to come back through OMB with a
full Paperwork Reduction Act clearance package.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
02/28/2013
6 Months From Approved
120
0
0
28,560
0
0
0
0
0
The U.S. Department of Education's
(ED) Office of the Deputy Secretary (ODS) has developed an
application for a new program, Race to the Top-District. Race to
the Top-District was authorized under Title III of Division F of
P.L. 112-74, the "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012", Dec. 23,
2011. Race to the Top-District is a competitive grant program that
will support local educational agencies (LEAs) in the development
and implementation of strategies, structures, and systems to
increase personalized learning environment(s), that are designed to
significantly improve teaching and learning through the
personalization of strategies, tools, and supports for teachers and
students that are aligned with college- and career-ready standards;
increase the effectiveness of educators, and expand student access
to the most effective educators in order to raise student
achievement; decrease the achievement gap across student groups;
and increase the rates at which students graduate from high school
prepared for college and careers.
ED is requesting
emergency approval of the Race to the Top-District application
because: (1) the authorizing legislation requires that Race to the
Top-District funds be obligated by December 31, 2012; (2) ED wants
to provide applicants with sufficient time, approximately 12 weeks,
to prepare and submit their Race to the Top-District applications;
and (3) ED must have sufficient time after applications are
submitted to conduct the peer review process appropriately. From
December 2011 to March 2012, ED senior leaders worked closely with
the Domestic Policy Council (DPC) and staff from the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) policy branch to determine the amount
of funding from the $550 million appropriation that would be used
to provide additional funds to the Race to the Top-Early Learning
Challenge grants and the amount that would be used to fund the new
Race to the Top-District competition. During this time, these
parties began discussing priorities for the District competition
but policy development could not begin in earnest until a decision
was made regarding the funding for the program. In late March 2012
through May 2012, ED, in consultation with DPC and OMB, worked to
draft priorities and selection criteria. On May 22, 2012 the
Department posted the draft requirements, priorities, selection
criteria, and definitions for Race to the Top-District on the
Departments website and invited the public to provide input on
these program elements through June 8, 2012. As a result of these
comments, some aspects of the program have been reevaluated and the
requirements, priorities, and selection criteria have been revised
accordingly. Due to the time required to fully develop the policy
for the program, it was not until July 2012 that ED had a refined
application and notice inviting applications that was ready for
internal and OMB clearance. It is also important to note that due
to the unique nature of this program, ED could not use a
preexisting application. ED has worked diligently to develop an
application that will collect information on the goals, criteria,
and performance measures unique to this program. This information
will provide guidance to applicants and offer peer reviewers the
critical information they need to select quality applicants to
receive grants. Just as importantly, this format will provide ED
with the information necessary to manage this grant. As is
evidenced by these efforts, Race to the Top is a top Department and
Administration priority, and it is critical that the application be
released as soon as possible to allow applicants ample time to
complete the application with sufficient time remaining for ED to
conduct a thorough peer review. Absent emergency approval, ED will
not be able to meet the December 31, 2012 deadline for obligating
these funds. Accordingly, ED is requesting that the formal
Paperwork Reduction Act comment period be waived.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Race to the Top District Application
Emergency Clearance Memo Race to the Top-District.doc
Race to the Top District Application