On August 24, 2010, Maryland was awarded one of the federal government's coveted Race to the Top educational grants during the second round of the application process. The State's grant is worth $250 million over four years.

The $4.3 billion federal program is aimed at boosting student achievement, reducing gaps in achievement among student subgroups, turning around struggling schools, and improving the teaching profession. Maryland's primary RTTT reforms will:

• Build a statewide technology infrastructure that links all data elements with analytic and instructional tools to monitor and promote student achievement.
• Redesign the model for preparation, development, retention, and evaluation of teachers and principals.
• Fully implement the innovative Breakthrough Center approach for transforming low-performing schools and districts.

The Harford County Board of Education is accelerating efforts and making necessary changes to the current way of doing business, and has approved a Strategic Plan  that aligns with Maryland's Race to the Top goals. Specifically, Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) believes all students can meet high standards, and we will hold ourselves and all students to those standards. To that end, the school system commits to the following elements of the State's reform plan as described in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA):

• Supporting great teachers and great leaders;
• Supporting the transition to enhanced standards and high-quality assessments;
• Turning around HCPS lowest-achieving schools; and
• Using data to improve instruction.

HCPS applied for $2.9 million over the next four years from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). These funds have been allocated to Local Education Agencies based on the Title I, Part A per-pupil allocations. The Executive Summary provides an overview of the initiatives and priorities outlined in Maryland's RTTT grant application. Priorities and initiatives identified by HCPS are as follows:

• Classroom Focus Improvement Process and Performance Matters
• College Preparation and Advanced Placement Coursework
• Common Core Standards Professional Development
• Longitudinal Data System
• Model Department Chairpersons
• Principal and Teacher Preparation
• Project Manager
• Teacher Induction and Mentor Professional Development

• Common Core Standards Initiative Home Page
   
• Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for Careers and College (PARCC)
   
• U.S. Department of Education
   

• MSDE Video of Top Ten Questions regarding Race to the Top
   

• 9/12/2011 - Presentation on the Educator Effectiveness Academy  
   
• 3/14/2011 - Update on Race to the Top  
   
• 10/18/2010 - Presentation of Race to the Top Grant  
   
• 4/19/2010 - Maryland's Education Reform Plan