Schools defy Perry to race for funding

DALLAS — Gov. Rick Perry had called it “foolish and irresponsible” for Texas to apply for funds from the Obama administration's signature education initiative. He feared Race to the Top funding would come with too many federal mandates on how to run classrooms in his state.

Officials in Alaska, North Dakota, Virginia and Vermont balked, too. That helped lead the Department of Education to change the rules this year: Let school districts and charter schools — not state leaders — choose to participate.

For the first time, schools, even in fiercely conservative states, were able to vie for federal money under the initiative that previously had awarded nearly $5 billion in statewide grants to 18 states and the District of Columbia.

And for the first time, school leaders in Texas overwhelmingly showed Perry that they don't share their governor's disdain for federal money — especially after the state slashed $5.4 billion in education funding last year.

More at http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Schools-defy-Perry-to-race-for-funding-4122643.php .



Shove it governor!