By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – The United States Department of Education today announced that New York State is among the 10 winners receiving a Race to the Top grant. New York State will receive up to $696 million dollars from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.
The money will be used to help advance the Regents reform agenda through 27 projects over four grant years.
"One of the best investments that we can make in our community's development is in the classroom with our future leaders," said Congressman Brian Higgins. "By raising the bar to education standards, we are taking monumental steps to true education reform. With these unprecedented levels of federal education funds, we are making significant progress to make those goals a reality for New York."
Half of the funds will go towards participating local education agencies to support implementation of the program. The other half will go towards improving educators and directly supporting new curriculum models, standards, assessments and the statewide student data system.
The money also will pay for teacher and principal preparation and professional development.
Including both Phase 1 and Phase 2 winners, 11 states and the District of Columbia have now been awarded money to invest in reforms.
Of the second round winners, New York scored second only to Massachusetts.