NJ Race to the Top application denied
New Jersey will not be getting federal education funds in the second round of the Race to the Top competition.
New Jersey will not be getting federal education funds in the second round of the Race to the Top competition.
New Jersey’s application for up to $400 million in grant money was not approved.
The application that was submitted by Governor Christie did not have the support of the New Jersey Education Association. Christie rejected an agreement his education commissioner worked out with the union because the Governor said it made too many concessions on teacher tenure and merit pay.
NJEA President Barbara Keshishian says that may have led to the state’s failure to get the Race to the Top funds.
“I guess this is the lesson. Obviously that wasn’t what the federal government was looking for. They were looking for a buy in and he could have had it but he tossed it away.”
Even without the grant money, state education department officials say they plan to move ahead with reforms to improve teacher and student performance.
Delaware and Tennessee were the only states which received “race to the top” funds in April.
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