As Massachusetts prepares its application for a share of the $500 million federal Race to the Top — Early Learning Challenge, the Bessie Tartt Wilson Initiative for Children has scheduled a series of regional meetings designed to provide input to the state’s Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). Commissioner Sherri Killins will attend each session.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) posted draft criteria for the competition. It is accepting comments until Monday, July 11, at 5 p.m. Applications will be released in August and are due in October. Grants will be made by the end of the calendar year. In their applications, states will be required to address early learning standards and kindergarten entry assessments to promote school readiness and a tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). In addition, including the full mixed-delivery system of public and private providers in QRIS is proposed as a competitive priority. The draft also outlines two invitational priorities, one for sustaining results into the primary grades and the other for encouraging public-private partnerships.

Here is the schedule for the regional meetings:

Monday, July 11, 1:30-3 p.m.
Regional Employment Board of Hampden County
1441 Main Street, Suite 111
Springfield, MA 01103

Tuesday, July 26, 1:30-3 p.m.
James A. Houlares Early Learning Center
Community Teamwork, Inc.
126 Phoenix Avenue
Lowell, MA 01852

Friday, July 29, 10-11:30 a.m.
Bessie Tartt Wilson Initiative for Children
142 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02116

Thursday, August 4, 10-11:30 a.m.
Bessie Tartt Wilson Initiative for Children
142 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02116

Monday, August 8, 10-11:30 a.m.
Worcester YWCA- Founder’s room, 1st Floor
One Salem Square
Worcester, MA 01608

Wednesday, August 10, 10-11:30 a.m.
Bridgewater State University
Dunn Conference Suite, in Crimson Hall
200 East Campus Drive
Bridgewater, MA 02035

To attend any of these meetings, please RSVP via email to initiative@btwic.org.