Stunner! TN wins Race to Top!

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced today that Tennessee and Delaware have won grants in the first phase of the Race to the Top competition. "We received many strong proposals from states all across America, but two applications stood out above all others: Delaware and Tennessee," Duncan said in announcing the winners. "Both states have statewide buy-in for comprehensive plans to reform their schools. They have written new laws to support their policies. And they have demonstrated the courage, capacity, and commitment to turn their ideas into practices that can improve outcomes for students." Tennessee will receive a remarkable $500MM and Delaware $100MM in this phase. The entire Dept. of Education release is here.