19 States Reach Race to the Top Finals

Eighteen states and the District of Columbia made the finals of the Race to the Top competition, the Education Department announced today.

Out of the 36 applicants for the second round, these 19 still have a shot at winning a share of the nearly $3.4 billion left in the competition fund:

• Arizona
• California
• Colorado*
• District of Columbia*
• Florida*
• Georgia*
• Hawaii
• Illinois*
• Kentucky*
• Louisiana*
• Maryland
• Massachusetts*
• New Jersey
• New York*
• North Carolina*
• Ohio*
• Pennsylvania*
• Rhode Island*
• South Carolina*
  
  *Made the first round finals

Fourteen of these applicants also made the first round finals. In that round, 40 states and the District of Columbia applied, 16 reached the finals, and two won the competition: Delaware and Tennessee.

All of the finalists scored more than 400 points on their applications, and from round one to round two, the average score rose 26 points. The peer reviewers thought that Ohio and Maryland's applications were two of the best applications they received, said Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

Maryland's application builds on its strengths while striving to improve student achievement and close performance gaps among different student groups, said Nancy Grasmick, the state's superintendent of schools.

“Maryland is perfectly positioned to move our schools and our students to the next level in achievement,” Grasmick said. “Our reforms have already had a positive effect on student growth over the past several years. In this third wave of reform, we intend to maintain our momentum through strengthened data systems, improved instruction, and attracting and maintaining a stronger educational workforce.”

Moving forward, representatives from these states will present their plans to peer reviewers in Washington, D.C. during the week of Aug. 9. The peer reviewers will be able to look the leadership teams in the eye and see whether their states have the talent, commitment and courage to implement the plans they put on paper, Duncan said.

Florida leaders are confident that their state will do well in the competition.

“For more than a decade our state has been involved in a comprehensive education reform effort that has resulted in undeniable increases in the academic performance of our children,” Education Commissioner Eric Smith said. “I believe strongly that this past success, coupled with our innovative strategies and renewed collaborative spirit, gives us the best possible chance to win this unprecedented competition.” 

In California, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation to make the Golden State eligible to apply for the competition. And now the state has a shot at winning.

“California’s Race to the Top Phase Two application lays out a roadmap for the future of public education in California that empowers parents, embraces accountability, transforms under-performing schools and ensures effective teachers and principals for each student,” Schwarzenegger said.

The department has enough money to award grants to between 10 and 15 of these applicants.

"My goal is not to fund every state," Duncan said. "My goal is to fund as many strong applications as we can.”

But he stressed that the competition isn't only about the money. The Race to the Top dollars represent less than 1 percent of total K-12 federal spending nationwide.

In September, Duncan plans to announce the winners.