Duncan Announces Race to the Top Round 2 Finalists

Today, 19 states became finalists for federal Race to the Top funding in the second round. 

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the finalists today during a speech at the National Press Club. 

The 19 finalists are: Arizona, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Carolina.

Race to the Top is a highly competitive federal grant program, funded with $4.35 billion from the federal stimulus package. The Race to the Top grants will be awarded to states that demonstrate they can implement comprehensive, innovative education reforms.

In total, 35 states and the District of Columbia applied for the second round of Race to the Top. Applications were due June 1.

Delaware and Tennessee were awarded Race to the Top grants in the first round of Race to the Top grants. An estimated $3.4 billion remains for grant awardees in the second round.

Idaho applied for the federal Race to the Top grant in the first round in January but, after working closely with leaders of stakeholder groups, decided not to apply in the second round.

For more information, read the U.S. Department of Education’s full news release or check out the updates on Education Week’s Politics K-12 blog.

~ Melissa M.