centredaily.com

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Gov. Ed Rendell on Tuesday blamed Pennsylvania’s loss in the second round of the federal “Race to the Top” educational grant competition on shortcomings in the state’s path for midcareer professionals to become teachers and inadequate support for linking teacher pay and tenure to performance.

Rendell said he was “very disappointed” that the state finished in 18th place as the U.S. Education Department doled out $3.4 billion in funding to nine states and Washington, D.C.

He had hoped the state would receive up to $400 million to help more than 100,000 additional students reach grade level in reading and math; to halve the number of students testing at the lowest level; and to ensure that at least 85 percent of students in the most struggling schools reach proficiency.

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