The U.S. Department of Education has finalized the application for the 2012 Race to the Top-District grant competition, which will provide nearly $400 million to support school districts in implementing local reforms that will personalize learning, close achievement gaps and take full advantage of 21st century tools to prepare each student for college and the careers of their choice.

The Race to the Top-District competition invites applicants to demonstrate how they can personalize education for all students and is aimed squarely at classrooms and the all-important relationship between teachers and students. The competition will encourage transformative change within schools, providing school leaders and teachers with key tools and support in order to best meet their students' needs.

Applicants from all districts are invited to apply. The Department plans to support high-quality proposals from applicants across a variety of districts, including rural and non-rural, as well as those already participating in a Race to the Top state grant, and districts not currently participating. These 4-year awards will range from $5 million to $40 million, depending on the population of students served through the plan. The Department is expecting to make 15-25 awards.

The Department is requesting interested districts to submit their intent to apply by Aug. 30, and will offer webinars and conference calls over the coming weeks to provide technical assistance. Applications are due October 30, with awards being announced no later than December 31, 2012.

Read the announcement and application, which explains how small rural districts can apply in consortia. Please share with your colleagues and rural school district leaders. 

Questions about the grant competition can be sent to racetothetop.district@ed.gov.

For more information on rural education, log-on to: 

 www.ed.gov/rural-education and follow @RuralED on Twitter