Georgia was not among the states selected to receive first-round funding from the federal Race to the Top program. It does, however, allow the state to pursue funding opportunities in round two of the application process.
The state was one of 16 finalists vying for a part of $4.35 billion in education reform grants. Delaware and Tennessee were the winners for the first round of competition, with Georgia just trailing. The money is part of President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus, which provided $100 billion for schools. The Race to the Top money is designed to encourage innovative programs.
“It is unfortunate that Georgia was not named a winner for Race to the Top funds, but I know we are well-positioned to be in contention for the next round of funding,” State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox said. “For seven years, Georgia has been focused on the very issues called for in the Race to the Top application. With a third-place finish, it is clear that we had a very strong application and I look forward to working with our partners on making our next attempt even better for the students of Georgia. We will work on perfecting parts of the application for phase two.”
Phase two applications can be submitted beginning in June. Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue said in a prepared statement that the state will reapply and will be “tough to beat.” He said the state is a “top seed heading into round two.”
The state was one of 16 finalists vying for a part of $4.35 billion in education reform grants. Delaware and Tennessee were the winners for the first round of competition, with Georgia just trailing. The money is part of President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus, which provided $100 billion for schools. The Race to the Top money is designed to encourage innovative programs.
“It is unfortunate that Georgia was not named a winner for Race to the Top funds, but I know we are well-positioned to be in contention for the next round of funding,” State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox said. “For seven years, Georgia has been focused on the very issues called for in the Race to the Top application. With a third-place finish, it is clear that we had a very strong application and I look forward to working with our partners on making our next attempt even better for the students of Georgia. We will work on perfecting parts of the application for phase two.”
Phase two applications can be submitted beginning in June. Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue said in a prepared statement that the state will reapply and will be “tough to beat.” He said the state is a “top seed heading into round two.”