By Jasmyn Belcher
Oswego, NY – New York State is closer to receiving billions of dollars in federal race to the top funding.
The U.S. Department of Education has named New York as one of 16 finalists. It's a step toward winning a share of over $4 billion in education reform funds.
Governor David Paterson said New York lost its best chance for up to $700 million in federal funds. Paterson blames this on the state legislature refusing to approve his plan to raise the limit on the number of charter schools.
The State School Boards Association is urging lawmakers to move forward with charter school reform. The group also wants the law setting limits on the use of student test data in the evaluation of teachers repealed.
School boards say these initiatives would help give New York ammunition in the final rounds of the competition.