Bay State a finalist for Race to the Top funding
Massachusetts has been named a finalist for the Obama administration's grant competition to encourage states to revamp their education systems.
Listen to WBZ's Diane Stern interview Mitchell Chester, Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education:
Podcast
The U.S. Department of Education told the state Tuesday it is one of 19 finalists making the cut in the second round of the administration's $4.3 billion Race to the Top education initiative. The final grant winners will be chosen in September from among 18 states and the District of Columbia.
Gov. Deval Patrick calls it "good news" for the state's students and teachers.
Massachusetts has applied for $250 million under the program, which awards states pursuing education overhauls.
Last week the state adopted national education standards for math and English, which it promised to do in its May application. States get credit if they have adopted the national standards by Aug. 2.
