Well, as you've probably seen/heard by now, there are 19 finalists for the federal Race to the Top Phase 2 competition (35 states and the District of Columbia had applied.) Education Secretary Arne Duncan made the announcement during a speech at the National Press Club earlier today. Phase 2 finalists are:
Arizona, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Carolina.
Looks like the group includes all of the finalists from Phase 1 who didn't win, plus a handful of extras. Winners will be announced in September.
Here's just a smattering of coverage so far: Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Ed Week and the Associated Press. A few interesting blogs too, here and here.
Mike Petrilli will probably have more thoughts on this issue tomorrow. And, if you're looking for Fordham's take on Ohio's ?finalist? status, please read Jamie Davies O'Leary's blog post.
?Amy Fagan