By By: Illinois Public Radio
Springfield, IL – Illinois' latest bid for $400 million in federal education money has failed. The federal government chose nine states and the District of Columbia to receive "Race to the Top" funds.
Winners of the second round of grants were announced yesterday. It's the second time Illinois has lost.
Superintendent of the State Board of Education Chris Koch says given that Illinois had placed fifth in the first round, many were surprised that Illinois came away with nothing.
Koch says he's disappointed, but confident that Illinois has the right agenda. He says the state will look for dollars elsewhere to pursue programs that were part of Illinois' proposal.
"I wouldn't say they're dead. I'd say particularly the kindergarten readiness. There's private foundations and others who have stepped forward as part of this process in expressing an interest in this."
Koch says he doesn't know what -- if any -- role Illinois' budget problems played in the decision to bypass Illinois. He says feedback on where Illinois went wrong is expected soon.
He speculates Illinois fell short in its proposal to use incentives to bring highly-qualified teachers and administrators to low-performing schools.
