The U.S. Department of Education announced last week that close to 900 school districts, or a consortium of smaller districts, have indicated their intent to apply for a Race to the Top - District (RTTT-District) competition.

This latest RTTT competition is meant to foster innovation at the local level and asks districts to create “individualized learning plans.” The long list of the districts that indicated their intent to apply can be found here.

Interested applicants will be considered for one of the 15 to 25 4-year awards that will range from $5 million to $40 million. Districts that did not submit intent to apply can still apply for a grant, and those that indicated interest are not required to apply. The deadline to apply for a RTTT-District grant is Oct 30. Awards will be distributed by Dec. 31, 2012.

Has your school district indicated they will apply for a RTTT-District grant? Is the large number of applicants interested in the small number of grants a symptom of inadequate education funding across the country?  

More information on the RTTT-District grants can be found here.