"Gov. Rick Perry's decision not to compete for up to $700 million in federal money for education may be a move that will make Texas schoolchildren suffer, a university professor said.
James Riddlesperger, a political science professor, said Perry's decision will only put funding for Texas education further behind.
'That money will be spent,' Riddlesperger said. 'It's already been appropriated. It's going to be spent somewhere, and what that means in terms of Texas is it puts Texas even farther behind in the competition than they would be.'
According to a New York Times article, Texas officials spent more than 700 hours preparing the application for the grant, known as Race to the Top. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded more than $250,000 to hire consultants to assist the state in the process, according to the article. Perry's decision came just six days before the Jan. 19 application deadline."
James Riddlesperger, a political science professor, said Perry's decision will only put funding for Texas education further behind.
'That money will be spent,' Riddlesperger said. 'It's already been appropriated. It's going to be spent somewhere, and what that means in terms of Texas is it puts Texas even farther behind in the competition than they would be.'
According to a New York Times article, Texas officials spent more than 700 hours preparing the application for the grant, known as Race to the Top. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded more than $250,000 to hire consultants to assist the state in the process, according to the article. Perry's decision came just six days before the Jan. 19 application deadline."