When you look at Washington state’s application for a Race to the Top early learning grant a few things stand out: It appears realistic, proposes a sizeable investment in professional development and has the potential to create an important data system.

One of the plan’s strongest elements is that it wouldn’t need a truckload of new money, and instead “relies most heavily on repurposing existing dollars.” In fact, it wouldn’t need the state to increase funding for early learning during the grant, which would run from Jan. 1, 2012 through Dec. 31, 2015.

The plan also would spend considerable time and money on professional development, including 5.75 million on professional development standards, and would improve the state’s data system, which would span preschool to age 20.

Perhaps the biggest challenge Washington will face in the race is that its Quality Rating and Assessment system and school readiness tool, WaKIDs, are not yet statewide, placing the state at a disadvantage to others that already built those networks.

You also could argue that Washington could quickly put the grant to use expanding QRIS and school readiness around the state, but under the race’s rules Washington appears to be at a disadvantage, 

"Washington is uniquely positioned to move forward quickly if we win a grant because of the work we’ve already done with WaKIDS and QRIS," Bette Hyde, head of the Department of Early Learning, said in a statement.

Winners are expected to be announced by December.

More RTTT Help: If you want more information about Race to the Top’s Early Learning Challenge, tune in on Thursday to the Early Learning Initiative’s webinar “Race to the Top – The Early Learning Challenge Program: What It Means to You.”

This webinar will answer what everyone wants to know: Which states have a shot at winning a grant? What kinds of changes will this program spur? Will the promise of the program — the inclusion of more disadvantaged children in high-quality programs — be realized? -- New America Foundation.