Race to the Top Grants Go to Just Two States

The first round of the federal Race to the Top grants were awarded to just two states this week – Delaware and Tennessee – as 14 other states that were finalists received none of the stimulus education funding.

In giving the first round of grants to only two states, the U.S. Department of Education sent a message that it placed a high premium on applicants that acquired the buy-in from local stakeholders, including teacher unions. In New Jersey, union leaders in more than 350 participating districts have refused to sign on to the program out of concerns that the federal grants encourage states to adopt merit pay – something labor unions routinely oppose. NJSBA wrote a letter of support for the state’s grant application.

The $4.35 billion in competitive grants is for states that have plans to institute educational reforms to improve teaching, raise standards, track student performance and help struggling schools. Forty states applied for the first round of grants, but New Jersey was not one of the 16 finalists. The next round of applications is due June 1.

Delaware will receive approximately $100 million and Tennessee will get $500 million. New Jersey stands to receive between $200 million and $400 million, if approved.

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