Afternoon Announcements: 16 States and DC Submitted Applications for Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge

The Department of Education announced recently that 16 states and the District of Columbia submitted applications for the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge. The program is a $280 million state-level competitive grant program designed to improve early learning and development. Ed.gov

A new $10 million program from Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania and the city’s Olivet Boys & Girls Club aims to help low-income students in urban areas go to college. The program would help through an intensive four-year program of tutoring and mentoring, among other things. Education Week

DC Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson gave a “State of the DC Public Schools” address late last week. She happily noted a “turning tide” that she believes is changing the city’s struggling school system for the better. The Washington Post

Louisiana has agreed to cooperate with the Justice Department over its controversial school voucher program. The state said it would supply Justice with data about the program to analyze whether the vouchers are re-segregating schools that are under federal orders to achieve a balance between white and black students. The Washington Post