NASHVILLE — Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that Tennessee is one of 16 finalists in the first round of the federal government’s Race to the Top competition, which will award $4.35 billion in competitive grants designed to encourage and reward states that are pursuing education innovation.
The U.S. Department of Education announced the first-round finalists earlier today. Forty states and the District of Columbia submitted applications in January.
“I’m very pleased we’ve been named a finalist for the first round of funding, and believe that’s due to our shared commitment to making significant and meaningful improvements to K-12 education,” said Bredesen. “Tennessee is considered competitive in Race to the Top by national education reform experts because of the continued efforts we’ve demonstrated to public education reform. I want to thank the General Assembly, which adopted further landmark education reform legislation earlier this year with the support of the Tennessee Education Association and educators across the state. I have no doubt this was a significant part of our success.”
