The state has submitted an application for approximately $180 million in "Race to the Top" funds that would help improve education and innovation in public schools.
The grant will be taken from the $4.35 billion set aside for federal education money as part of the stimulus bill, according to U.S. Department of Education Deputy Press Secretary Justin Hamilton.
Alabama is one of 40 states, as well as the District of Columbia, that have applied.
"It's a competitive process," said Todd Stacy, governor's office press secretary. "Our hat is in the ring."
Deputy State Superintendent Tommy Bice said a portion of the money could go to aid with funding for Auburn University's College of Education in collaboration with the state department to make sure the next wave of teachers will be prepared for new educational experiences for students.
Bice said he thinks the grant would make it easier for all levels of education to work as a unit.
More than 19 categories from each application will be evaluated by a panel of viewers in round one, with each criterion being given a point value. Points will be awarded for each category based on the panel's judgment of each state's presentation.
The grant focuses on four main areas, including the adoption of internationally measured standards and assessments, the development of a data system to monitor student proficiency Pre-K through college, equipping new teachers and leaders and distributing them to the areas of need and a turnaround in consistently low-performing schools with aggressive turnaround models, Bice said.
Additional factors will be taken into consideration to determine which state receives the funds, Hamilton said.
"Some of the big ones are state capacity for reform," Hamilton said. "We also want to see what you're doing to invest in great teachers."
Hamilton said states need to go beyond the basic requirements.
"It's not enough to just have a good plan," Hamilton said. "We want to know that you have a track record of reform and then you've generated support in your community to carry that plan out."
A good track record is something state representatives say it has working in its favor.
"Alabama has been a national leader in education reform for the last several years," Stacy said. "You have Alabama really leading the pack as far as education reform and improvements in education." Stacy said one thing the state's application is missing is a charter schools law, which permits the Alabama school systems to charter schools. The lack of a charter schools law drops Alabama 40 points behind other applicants.
However, the state is relying on other strengths to offset the lack of the law.
"Alabama has focused on our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) initiatives which are recognized nationally but have not been taken to scale," Bice said. "We are also focusing on our existing partnership with colleges and universities as we focus on preparing a new generation of teachers and leaders."
The recipient of the grant will be announced in April. If Alabama is not selected, the state can reapply in June for round two of the process. The winner of that round will be announced in September.
With more than four fifths of the country vying for the funds, Stacy said Alabama's chances are as good as any.
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