Associated Press – The Obama administration is extending the reach of Race to the Top by allowing individual school districts, rather than states, to apply for up to $25 million in grant money to narrow the achievement gap between rich and poor students. Districts with more than 2,500 students and at least 40% of them receiving subsidized or reduced-price lunches will be eligible if they meet certain RTTP requirements, including assessment tests for college and career preparedness, improved classroom instruction through measured student growth and turning around low-performing schools. School boards would also be subject to evaluation before receiving grant money. The Department of Education will set aside a $400 million to help these schools districts. Race to the Top has provided more than $5 billion to states since its 2009 introduction. For more, read Administration Sets Criteria for New School Grants.