Perry doesn’t want to Race to the Top

Statesman: Texas will not compete for federal education grant

The Statesman’s Kate Alexander reports that Rick Perry has decided not to compete in the $4 billion Race to the Top program.

“This program is not a ‘Race to the Top’ but a sprint to the middle, to mediocrity,” Perry said Wednesday in Houston.

If Texas had submitted an application, the state could have received up to $700 million.

Race to the Top is a federal program funded by last year’s stimulus package. Its mission is to encourage education reform and innovation.

The Texas Education Agency has already spent 800 hours preparing an application for Race to the Top. The agency reports it did not finish the application.

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