|
Florida Named a Finalist for Education Funds in "Race to the Top" July 27,2010 -- Florida has been named one of 19 finalists for a U.S. Department of Education competition. "Race to the Top" rewards states for ambitious education reforms. Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced the second-round finalists in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday afternoon. Florida was a finalist in the first round of the $4.35 billion competition, but ultimately received no funds. Delaware and Tennessee got a combined total of $600 million. Federal officials cited lack of cooperation between the state teacher’s union and the Department of Education when it denied Florida’s first Race to the Top application. The state also lost points when it came to using performance pay to increase teacher quality, and improve low performing schools. This time, Governor Charlie Crist formed a group of union and education leaders to work on the state's second-round application. In August, Crist will lead a delegation to Washington to formally present Florida’s plan for $700 million of the $3.4 billion dollars still being offered. The winners will be announced in September. |
|
|