Colorado, Illinois, New Mexico, Oregon, and Wisconsin applied for funding in the $133 million Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge (RTTT-ELC) competition. ED limited competition eligibility to these five high-scoring but unfunded states in the 2011 competition. Education Secretary Arne Duncan applauded the states for their submissions: "By applying for the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge, these states are continuing commitments to provide children--especially those with high needs--the tools to enter kindergarten ready to succeed in their education and ultimately their careers."