In a competition among 35 states and Puerto Rico for millions of dollars in grant money from the federal government for education, Oklahoma has lost out -- for the third time. Oklahoma's governor, Mary Fallin, told NewsOK.com that "Oklahoma delivered a strong application" for the federal grant and "It is disappointing the Obama administration has chosen not to name us as a Race to the Top grant winner."
Race to the Top Federal Education Grant
The Race to the Top federal education grant is part of the Obama administration's focus on improving educational systems throughout the United States. The president has made it clear that improvements in education are an investment in the future of the nation.
The early childhood grants are intended to improve children's readiness for kindergarten. Each state that applied for grant money provided plans for implementation of programs that would increase access to high-quality education programs for low-income children from birth to five years of age.
The nine states, Delaware, California, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Washington and North Carolina will receive portions of the early childhood grant money totaling $500 million.
Seven other states are in the running in the Race to the Top program, but these funds are available to be allocated in K-12 education. Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois, Kentucky, Arizona, Louisiana and Colorado are vying for the $200 million available in grant funds; the awards will be announced before the first of the new year.
Oklahoma Early Childhood Education
The National Institute for Early Education Research examines early childhood education on a state-by-state basis and nationally. Oklahoma ranked first in the nation for each year 2008 to 2010 for education access for 4-year-olds in all areas, including low-income families with 71 percent of eligible children enrolled in some form of education.
In the early learning quality standards checklist, Oklahoma meets or exceeds standards in 9 out of 10 standards, with the one unmet standard being degree status of assistant teachers.
The state currently spends $4,477.00 per student with the total spent per student, including local and federal funds is $7,855.00 per student.
Fallin pledged that despite not receiving the Race to the Top funding, Oklahoma will remain committed to providing excellent early childhood education.
Smack dab in the middle of the baby boomer generation , L.L. Woodard is a proud resident of "The Red Man" state. With what he hopes is an everyman's view of life's concerns both in his state and throughout the nation, Woodard presents facts and opinions based on common-sense solutions.
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