"A few weeks ago, 40 states and the District of Columbia jumped into the high-profile education competition known as Race to the Top, submitting applications up to 1,000 pages long to make their case for a share of $4.35 billion in federal prize money.
In Washington state, meanwhile, officials have yet to reach the starting line.
That doesn't mean Washington has no chance at a Race to the Top grant, which could bring anywhere from $150 million to $250 million to a state this size.
The competition will have at least two rounds, with winners in each one.
Washington officials are working on an application for Round 2, which starts in June. As a first step, Gov. Chris Gregoire has brokered bills, now before lawmakers, that would revamp teacher and principal evaluations, give the state power to intervene in failing schools and strengthen other policies aimed at helping Washington compete."
In Washington state, meanwhile, officials have yet to reach the starting line.
That doesn't mean Washington has no chance at a Race to the Top grant, which could bring anywhere from $150 million to $250 million to a state this size.
The competition will have at least two rounds, with winners in each one.
Washington officials are working on an application for Round 2, which starts in June. As a first step, Gov. Chris Gregoire has brokered bills, now before lawmakers, that would revamp teacher and principal evaluations, give the state power to intervene in failing schools and strengthen other policies aimed at helping Washington compete."