WASHINGTON, D.C. — Michigan failed to make the cut in the
second round of competition for federal "Race to the Top" education reform
dollars, despite increased support from its largest teachers union, the Detroit
Free Press reported. The state had hoped to win up to $400 million to improve public
education.
Mike Flanagan, state schools superintendent, said that the
Michigan Department of Education would analyze feedback from the federal grant
reviewers before discussing reasons for the rejection, according to the Free
Press.
Doug Pratt, Michigan Education Association spokesman, told
the Free Press that while the group was "just as disappointed as everybody
else, it's important to keep in mind this $400 million would have helped but it
wasn't going to solve our financial problems."
Public school districts still will have to adhere to reforms
that the state adopted in preparation for the "Race" competition, such as a
higher dropout age and a cyber school initiative, Brad Biladeau, associate executive director of the Michigan Association
of School Administrators, told the Free Press.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm said the state presented a strong
application and that she was disappointed it was not approved, the Free Press
reported.
Second-round finalists are Arizona, California, Colorado,
District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and South Carolina. Winners will be announced in
September.
SOURCE:
Detroit Free Press, "Michigan out of running for U.S.
education grant," July 27, 2010
FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "'Race' language will include
more charters," Dec. 19, 2009