Photo: Alessandra Hartkopf for Strategies for Children

This blog below was originally published on December 19, 2011. To read more blog posts about the Early Learning Challenge grant click here. 

Massachusetts, one of nine states awarded grants from the competitive federal Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge, will receive the full $50 million over four years for which it was eligible. The commonwealth, with 267 points of a possible 300 points, had the second highest score of the 35 states (plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) that applied for the $500 million program. North Carolina, with 269.6 points, was top scorer.

Each application was scored by five reviewers (reviewers’ comments and scores (PDF). Here is a summary of the scoring for Massachusetts (score sheet (PDF):

• Selection criteria: 248.4 of a possible 280 points
  • Successful state systems: 62.8 of a possible 65 points
  • High-quality, accountable programs: 65.6 of a possible 75 points
  • Promoting early learning and development outcomes for children: 52 of a possible 60 points
  • A great early childhood education workforce: 37.2 of a possible 40 points
  • Measuring outcomes and progress: 30.8 of a possible 40 points
  • Competitive preference priorities
    • Including all early learning development programs in the tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System: 8.6 of a possible 10 points
    • Understanding the status of children’s learning and development at kindergarten entry: Yes (10 points)
  • Absolute priority: Promoting school readiness for children with high needs: Yes

And here is a list of all nine winners, with their grant amounts (maximum for which state was eligible) and total score:

• California: $52,572,935 ($100 million); 243.6 points
• Delaware: $49,878,774 ($50 million); 261.2 points
• Maryland: $49,999,143 ($50 million); 252.0 points
• Massachusetts: $50,000,000 ($50 million); 267.0 points
• Minnesota: $44,858,313 ($50 million); 250.8 points
• North Carolina: $69,991,121 ($70 million); 269.6 points
• Ohio: $69,993,362 ($70 million); 261.0 points
• Rhode Island: $50,000,000 ($50 million); 243.8 points
• Washington: $60,000,000 ($60 million); 263.8 points

Also, see the Massachusetts application (PDF) and appendix (PDF).

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