Obama to request $1.35 billion more for 'Race

President Obama plans to request another $1.35 billion for Race to the Top - a federal program that has drawn interest from more than 60 local school districts - in his 2011 budget.

The added funds would create a third round of competition for states to net federal stimulus education dollars, and expand the program to reward individual school districts for innovative strategies at a time when cash is scarce.

The announcement comes the day applications for the first round of the competition are due.

States vying for Race to the Top funds must agree to implement a variety of reforms - adopting revised learning standards; using data systems to support instructions; tying teacher evaluations to student achievement and turning around the lowest performing schools.

Applications receive more weight if a state has a majority of school districts that have signed memorandums of understanding in support of the competition; and if specific legislation has been passed to ramp up achievement.

Illinois, which has applied for over $500 million in the first round, is pitted against approximately 30 other states, according to senior White House advisers.

Gov. Pat Quinn Friday signed a law tying teacher and principal performance evaluations with student growth. Over the summer, legislation was passed bringing the number of allowable charter schools from 60 to 120.

As of Friday, 361 of the state's public school districts had signed memorandums, according to the State Board of Education. Of those districts, 61 are located in the Daily Herald's readership area.

Adding additional money to the Race program, White House officials said Monday, will enable states more time to strengthen their statewide reform plans. It would also establish a separate competition for school districts prepared go above and beyond state reforms. More details are expected Tuesday.