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An alert reader on Twitter pointed to a post on an Ed Week blog (click here) that in turn pointed to a list by the U.S. Department of Education (click here) of states that had submitted letters of intent to apply for “Race to the Top” grant funding.

As I write, North Carolina is not on this list.

That comes as a surprise, since Gov. Bev Perdue has spent a fair amount of time recently rallying the troops to get North Carolina’s application together. (Click here.)

So what gives? Is this an indication the state won’t apply for the money?

“That was a nicety but not required,” N.C. Department of Public Instruction spokeswoman Vanessa Jeter said. “We’re absolutely on track to submit our proposal for round 1.”

In fact, the U.S. Dept. of Education page says “Letters of intent are not required,” stressing that those who don’t submit them can still apply for the grant funds. It also indicates that submitting a letter of intent doesn't ultimately commit a state to filing a grant application.

It’s rare that the federal government says “please” about anything, but that appears to be the case here. So the Ed Week blog (and at least one other) jumped to a logical but incorrect conclusion.

Jeter said that North Carolina will send a letter of intent later this week. In the mean time, memoranda of understanding have been sent out to the state’s local school superintendents who have already begun sending them back. That’s a key and probably the most complicated part of the process for North Carolina’s application.

“Goodness knows we’ve spent lots and lots of energy on this grant proposal,” Jeter said.

The grant proposal is being coordinated by the governor’s office, where officials also say they’re on track to make the application deadline.

“The governor has been reaching out to the state’s educational leaders – teachers, superintendents, etc. – urging them to sign on and engage in the process,” said Chrissy Pearson, Gov. Bev Perdue’s press secretary.