Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) announced that New York State was among the 10 winners in the second round of the Federal Race to the Top competition.  This award provides the state with $696,646,000 in additional funding for education.  This competition was part of the education funding provided for in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“As a former educator, I am very pleased to see New York benefit from this program.  The stimulus passed last year not only saved hundreds of teaching jobs in the district and throughout the state, but it will now bring almost $700 million more into our schools.  This additional funding will give our children better educational opportunities, while providing teachers with more resources to ensure a quality education. I truly believe education is absolutely the key to guaranteeing the success of New York’s youth to better prepare them for challenging times ahead.  I will continue to work in Washington to find more ways to enhance our education system, and to provide a bright future for our children and for New York State,” said Rep. Engel.

 

Assembly Member Ellen C. Jaffee commended Rep. Engel on helping secure this funding and said, “Thanks to collaboration between our state and federal delegation, the race to the top funding will provide much need resources to our public schools, especially during this challenging time.”

 

The funding that New York State includes:

• $348.3 million of the Race to the Top funds will be awarded to participating LEAs (school districts and charter schools) over the course of the grant to support implementation.
• $348.3 million will be used to directly support new curriculum models, standards, assessments, teacher and principal preparation and professional development, and the statewide student data system.

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