KY Wins "Race To The Top" Grant

{Frankfort, Kentucky}...The Education Department says seven states have won a share of $200 million in federal "Race to the Top" dollars to improve K-12 education programs. The winning states are Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Kentucky officials said Friday they plan to use a $17 million grant to expand a math and science program aimed at preparing students for Advanced Placement exams and other needs related to public school reforms. The state had requested $175 million. Kentucky was among seven states to win grants in the third round of "Race to the Top" competition, in which a total of $200 million was available. Kentucky had been passed over in the first two rounds, and last week lost a "Race to the Top" grant that would have focused on improvements in early childhood education.