Washington applies for $250M in federal dollars

SEATTLE (AP) — Gov. Chris Gregoire says Washington state has turned in its Race to the Top application for $250 million in federal education reform dollars.

Washington is one of about two dozen states competing for nearly $4 billion in the second round of the competition.

Finalists are expected to be announced in late July or early August, and winners will be announced in September.

Washington hopes to use the money for higher academic standards, more preschool education and an emphasis on science and math.

The governor asked every school district to sign on as a partner for reform and nearly all did. Of Washington’s 295 districts, 265 representing 97 percent of the state’s student population, signed on. The state’s largest teacher’s union has also joined the effort.

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Online:

Washington’s Race to the Top: www.waracetothetop.org