Pennsylvania re-applies for federal education grant
Pennsylvania is looking to score $400 million in education funding from a competitive federal grant program. Yesterday was the deadline for the stimulus-funded “Race to the Top” competition.
Pennsylvania is looking to score $400 million in education funding from a competitive federal grant program. Yesterday was the deadline for the stimulus-funded “Race to the Top” competition.
Pennsylvania ranked 7th among all the states that applied during the first phase of the grant process. For the next phase, the state Department of Education says their application is tighter and more concise.
Leah Harris is a spokesperson for the department. The state’s application includes plans for individual school districts.
Harris says Pennsylvania requires each district to sign off with agreement from the schools superintendent, the school board and the teacher’s union, “Which sets us aside from other states, because of the deep level commitment that we required.”
Harris says the application includes curriculum changes, improvements on tracking success rates and linking student performance to teacher evaluations.
Only Delaware and Tennessee received grants during the first round. Results for the second round of competition will be announced in September.
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