Ohio has 2nd chance at federal education cash
State will tweak its proposal for Race to the Top
Ohio was not selected by the Obama administration yesterday to share in the $4billion Race to the Top education fund.
But the state's not a total loser - not yet, anyway. Most states lost out, so there is a boatload of money left for the next round of competition.
Making good on his promise that "most states will go home as finalists, not winners," Education Secretary Arne Duncan picked only Delaware and Tennessee as initial recipients. The two beat out 38 other states and the District of Columbia.
Top-scoring Delaware will be awarded about $100million, and Tennessee, a close second, will get about $500million, leaving $3.4billion available for future rounds of funding. The size of the award is based on several factors, including a state's population and its proposal.
Federal reviewers ranked Ohio, one of 16 finalists, 10th for its plan to boost students' success.
Duncan, in a conference call with reporters, said Delaware and Tennessee stood out because their applications came with strong statewide support from school districts, teachers unions and other education stakeholders.
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