Michigan Did Not Receive “Race To The Top” Funding

LANSING (WKZO) -- Sixteen states have made it into the final round of consideration for “Race to the Top” funding and Michigan is not one of them.

Michigan had been in line for as much as 400 million dollars, but despite a package of reforms rushed thru the legislature and general support from school districts, the money from a 4-billion dollar stimulus pool will be going elsewhere.

State Superintendent of Schools Mike Flannagan says all is not lost, they may get luckier the next time around. They will reapply in June for the second round. West Michigan Senator Kuipers says whether or not they get the money, the reforms they plan to enact are worth it.

School districts wonder how they will implement all the new reforms if the state continues to cut their funding. The reforms call for a state takeover of the state’s worst performing districts, teacher evaluations and pay based on test scores and other changes.