Letters of support for race funding sought

From the TEAM PA Newsletter: Pennsylvania has been presented with a wonderful opportunity to secure its share of up to $400 million in federal funding for its schools, but the state urgently needs your help. The Race to the Top is an unprecedented federal program that will reward states that have raised student performance in the past and have the capacity to accelerate achievement gains with innovative reforms.

As the only state to see increases in student achievement in elementary, middle and high school from 2002 to 2008 and because of such programs as the Pennsylvania STEM Initiative, the commonwealth is in an excellent position to receive this funding. State officials have been fervently working on the grant proposal that will help elevate student achievement in Pennsylvania to an even higher level. More importantly, this funding will be a major investment in the STEM regional networks as the regional representatives carry forward the incredible work they have accomplished over the past two years.

You can assist in this process by writing your letter of support. Click to read more or to see the form letter. You are also welcome to write your own letter as well.

Time is of an urgent matter, however, as all letters must be received at the Pennsylvania Department of Education by Friday, January 15.

A PDF of your letter to endorse Pennsylvania’s Race to the Top application can be e-mailed to: ra-pde@state.pa.us; you can fax it to 717-783-8230; or mail it to:

Leah Harris, RTTT
PA Department of Education
333 Market St., 10th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333