BILL NUMBER: SBX5 4INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Steinberg DECEMBER 15, 2009 An act relating to public schools. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 4, as introduced, Steinberg. Public schools: Race to the Top. The federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), provides $4.3 billion for the State Incentive Grant Fund (Race to the Top Fund), which is a competitive grant program designed to encourage and reward states that are implementing specified educational reforms in 4 specified areas: (1) achieving equity in teacher distribution, (2) improving collection and use of data, (3) implementing standards and assessments, and (4) supporting struggling schools. The ARRA requires the Governor to apply on behalf of a state seeking a Race to the Top grant, and requires the application to include specified information. The federal Secretary of Education has issued proposed regulations for the Race to the Top Fund. This bill would require the Governor, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the State Board of Education to collaboratively develop a single high-quality plan or multiple plans, in collaboration with participating local educational agencies as necessary, to submit as part of an application for federal Race to the Top funds. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Governor, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the State Board of Education shall collaboratively develop a single high-quality plan or multiple plans, in collaboration with participating local educational agencies as necessary, to submit as part of an application for federal Race to the Top funds, authorized under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).