13 Oklahoma Districts To Compete In Race To The Top - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |

Thirteen Oklahoma school districts intend to apply for grants as part of the federal Race to the Top-District competition.

The U.S. Department of Education announced Friday that 893 applicants will participate in the program that will hand out nearly $400 million in grants. The program aims to support local initiatives that help close achievement gaps and prepare students for college and a career.

The districts in Oklahoma that have filed the intent are: Bartlesville, Bethany, Comanche, Duncan, El Reno, Elgin, Fort Gibson, Purcell, Kingfisher, Lawton, Mountain View-Gotebo, Oklahoma City and Southeastern Oklahoma Interlocal Cooperative.

The intent to apply filed by the districts is not binding.

The Obama administration has already awarded more than $4 billion to 18 states and the District of Columbia through its Race to the Top competition.