Governor Sonny Perdue announced that Georgia has been selected as a finalist by the U.S. Department of Education for the first round of federal "Race to the Top" grants. Georgia stands to receive up to $462 million over four years to implement its plan if selected.

"Georgia's designation as a finalist in the Race to the Top competition is further proof that we are moving in the right direction to advance student achievement in our state," said Perdue. "Our work to transform education in Georgia is being recognized nationally, but it is only a beginning. We must continue to align our funding and policies with our desired outcome of improved student achievement."

The Race to the Top fund is a $4 billion grant opportunity provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to support new approaches to improve schools. The fund is available in the form of competitive grants to encourage and reward states that are creating conditions for education innovation and reform, specifically implementing ambitious plans in four education reform areas: Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace and to compete in the global economy; Building data systems that measure student growth and success, and inform teachers and principals about how they can improve instruction;Recruiting, preparing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals, especially where they are needed most; and Turning around our lowest-achieving schools.

Forty states and the District of Columbia submitted applications for Phase I of the Race to the Top grant competition. The U.S. Department of Education estimates final winners will be announced in April 2010.

Georgia's application was prepared through strong partnership between the Governor's Office, the Georgia Department of Education, the Governor's Office of Student Achievement, and education stakeholders.

Four working groups and a fifth critical feedback team consisting of teachers, principals, superintendents, higher education faculty, non-profit and informal education organizations, state policy makers, and members of the business and philanthropic communities developed the ideas for inclusion in the state's application.