Pennsylvania is one of nineteen states selected as finalists in the competition for Race to the Top Funds. Congratulations to Acting Secretary Thomas Gluck who coordinated the Pennsylvania Department of Education‘s efforts. Secretary Duncan, United States of Department of Education, made the announcement today. He also suggested that 10 to 15 states may be selected in the final analysis. Members of each State Department of Education will be required to meet with the peer reviewers in August for the final review.
The states, in addition to Pennsylvania, selected as finalists are: Arizona, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island and South Carolina.
We wish the PDE staff well as they pursue the Race to the Top Funds in one more final step. These funds will enable many of our neediest school districts to implement the school reform efforts to improve the programs for the students.