StarBulletin.com

Isle schools trying again to run Race for funding


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POSTED: Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Hawaii was among the 35 states and the District of Columbia submitting applications for the second round of the Obama administration's Race to the Top competition to win a portion of $3.4 billion to drive education reform.

The deadline was yesterday.

Acting Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi said the state is seeking $75 million and the application is stronger than it was in the first round earlier this year.

“;Over the past six months, the department has made tremendous strides in strengthening its application to achieve comprehensive education reform,”; she said.

Hawaii did not receive any money in the first round announced in March, with its worst scores in the category of “;ensuring equitable distribution of effective teachers,”; receiving no points out of 25.

The state received 19 out of a possible 40 points for “;ensuring successful conditions for charter schools.”;

Matayoshi said new legislation has removed barriers to the creation of new charter schools in Hawaii and the department has developed a plan to attract and retain high-quality teachers in struggling schools.

Finalists will be selected over the summer. The winners will be announced in September.