Education Department picks Delaware, Tennessee for first round of ‘Race to the Top’ grants

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Federal officials pick Delaware, Tenn. for grants

ATLANTA — A source says the U.S. Department of Education has picked Delaware and Tennessee for the first round of its “Race to the Top” competition.

The states will receive part of a $4.35 billion pot meant to encourage the use of innovative programs to improve student performance and transform struggling schools.

The states were selected from 16 finalists announced earlier this month.

Federal officials will collect a second round of applications for the highly selective grant program in June. The states that weren’t picked this time can reapply.

The money is part of President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus law, which provided an unprecedented $100 billion for schools.