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VA Opts Out Of Race To The Top

May 26, 2010
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By ZINIE CHEN SAMPSON Associated Press Writer

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) Virginia doesn't plan to apply for the second round of federal Race to the Top funding for public-education reform programs.

Virginia Department of Education spokesman Charles Pyle said Wednesday that Gov. Bob McDonnell has informed U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan that the state has decided against seeking the funds. The deadline for states to apply for the $3.4 billion in grants is June 1.

Virginia was unsuccessful in its first-round application. Federal education officials said in March that the state fell short in demonstrating its efforts to boost teacher quality and to adopt common national standards and assessments. State officials said that Virginia already has a longstanding standards program in place.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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