RI Dept. of Ed One of 19 Finalists for Race to Top Funds

RI Dept. of Ed One of 19 Finalists for Race to Top Funds

Education Secretary Deborah Gist welcomed news yesterday that Rhode Island was one of 19 finalists for federal Race to the Top funds, saying it reflected the “bold steps” the state has taken toward education reform.

“I am very pleased that the U.S. Department of Education has recognized not only our outstanding Race to the Top proposal but also the bold actions we have taken already to improve student performance and to close achievement gaps,” Gist said. “With support from Race to the Top, we will move faster toward our goal of making Rhode Island the home of America’s best public schools!”

If the Ocean State ends up winning the “race” it will get $75 million. Much of that money will be distributed to school districts across the state. The state Department of Education said it would be used to update school curricula, mentor and train teachers, help some of the lowest-achieving public schools, and develop evaluations to improve teacher effectiveness.

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“We are pleased and honored to be named as a finalist for the very competitive Race for the Top Round 2 grants,” said Governor Don Carcieri. “We have made a commitment as a state to improve our education system. We continue to make great strides toward our goal. The $75 million in Race to the Top funds will advance our achievements and help us continue to improve the educational experience for our youth and improve the quality of our teachers.”

Rhode Island was a finalist in the last round of applications as well, but ended up getting beat out by Delaware and Tennessee.

The other 18 finalists announced yesterday were: the District of Columbia, Arizona, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina.