New Jersey Not Chosen in First
Round of Race to the Top Grants

New Jersey was not one of the 16 states selected as finalists in the first phase of the Race to the Top competition. The effort is the U.S. Department of Education’s competitive grants program that will award $4.35 billion to states that have raised student performance, instituted innovative educational reforms and plan to extend those reforms.

The finalists were announced on March 4. The U. S. Department of Education will award up to $2.17 billion in Phase 1 of the grants. New Jersey sought between $200 million and $400 million.

Acting New Jersey Commissioner of Education Bret Schundler released a statement expressing disappointment, but not surprise, at the state’s unsuccessful bid. “From the start of this process, it has been clear that while the Corzine administration submitted a good application, a major deficiency in New Jersey’s submission was the lack of support from local union leadership,” he said. “With union leaders in more than 350 participating districts refusing to sign on, it would have been very difficult for us to convince the U.S. Department of Education that New Jersey was united behind this effort.”

States that were unsuccessful applicants can submit an application for the second round of funding, which Schundler said New Jersey would pursue. “As we begin work on the second round due in June, I am encouraged that the NJEA leadership has agreed to work with us on this,” he said. “With their support of what the president is seeking from New Jersey, I’m convinced we will be able to put forward a winning application.”

The successful Phase 1 finalists include: Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Tennessee.

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