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.
This is a revision to a collection for an existing program. In the previous fiscal year (FY 2012) the Race to the Top District competition generated significant interest from school districts, as 1,225 local educational agencies were part of 372 submitted applications. In FY 2013 we expect interest to subside slightly and anticipate 300 applications. In addition, the only substantive changes to the application are the exclusion of the optional budget supplement, selection criterion (B)(5), and selection criterion (E)(4), which decreases the burden per application from 238 to 225, for a total of 67,500 burden hours. In total we expect 72 fewer applications and 21,036 less burden hours than the FY 2012 Race to the Top District competition.
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.