Ohio to try for $40 billion in federal school money

Mar 9, 2010 — Dayton Daily News

Laura A. Bischoff

Mar. 5, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- COLUMBUS -- Ohio made the cut as one of 16 states invited to Washington, D.C., later this month to compete for a share of $40 billion in education reform money offered by the Obama administration.

Forty states plus the District of Columbia applied for Race to the Top funding and were graded on their plans to improve teacher effectiveness, turn around failing schools, track data and set academic standards.

Gov. Ted Strickland and Superintendent of Schools Deborah Delisle called it an exciting day for education in Ohio.

"The Race to the Top process has been and will continue to be extremely competitive, but Ohio crafted a strong application of which we can all be proud," they said in a joint written statement.

"We've made a major commitment to Ohio schools, because we believe that providing every Ohio child with high-quality educational opportunities will better prepare them for jobs and for life."

Ohio is asking for $409 million for four years, half of which will be kept by the state and the rest distributed to local participating districts and charter schools. Some items in the grant application, such as $600,000 for cultural anthropologists and $400,000 for a video, have come under fire from critics, including state Sen. Jon Husted, R-Kettering.

Only half of Ohio's school districts opted to participate in the program, in part because the grant guidelines require policy changes. Among those that signed up are the Centerville, Kettering, Oakwood, Miamisburg, Huber Heights, Lebanon, Mad River and Xenia school districts.

"We're obviously happy we'll get an opportunity to go to Washington to make our pitch," said Ohio Department of Education spokesman Scott Blake.

Federal authorities are expected to announce April 1 which states will win funding in the first round. If Ohio doesn't make the first round, it can try for funding in the second round.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0056-42710290