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LANSING, Mich. - Kathleen Straus, president of the State Board of Education, signed Michigan's "Race to the Top" application Saturday, according to the Detroit Free Press. Straus created a flurry of headlines last week by saying at a board meeting that she wanted to read the entire form before signing it, leading to talk of division among board members.
The application is due at the U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday, and will put Michigan in the running for up to $400 million in additional federal stimulus funds for education, the Free Press reported.
According to earlier media reports, about 700 Michigan public school districts also have signed memoranda indicating they support the application and are willing to implement the reform measures it includes, but the Michigan Education Association has withdrawn its support and recommended its local union leaders not sign.
In all, the Race to the Top will award $4.35 billion to states on a competitive basis.
SOURCES:
Detroit Free Press, "Local news briefs: Race for more stimulus cash on to next step," Jan. 17, 2010
The Detroit News, "School aid pitch splits Michigan board," Jan. 13, 2010
FURTHER READING:
Mackinac Center for Public Policy, "Race to the Top Realities," Dec. 22, 2009
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