In earlier blogs, you read that the federal grant program Race to the Top may not include Pre-K. Additional guidance was mentioned in a September 30 Ed Week posting by Michele McNeil. Currently the US House is looking to create three new Race to the Top programs, ”one for state prekindergarten programs, one for community colleges, and another to encourage colleges to boost their retention and graduation rates.”

Now the Early Learning Challenge grant becomes included in the Race to the Top program. There was speculation that there would be two Pre-K funding streams, Early Learning Challenge and some funding in Race to the Top. The parameters of the Early Learning Challenge grants have not changed. It remains $8 billion over eight years and “would encourage states to improve their early learning standards, provide comprehensive professional development, and assess student’s readiness for success in school, among other outcomes.”

It has become clear that the Obama administration is interested in competitive funding opportunities rather than the traditional formula grants.

What do you think about this change from formula funding to competitive funding?