California is in.

State schools chief Jack O’Connell and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday morning signed the state’s application for Race to the Top federal funding.

“The Race to the Top application outlines how we intend to make systemic changes to our education system in order to accelerate the development of a highly skilled workforce, fuel future innovations, and maintain California’s standing as a leading world economy,” O’Connell said in a statement.

The Obama administration is making $4.3 billion available for the program which gives money based on a competitive application. California altered its education laws in advance of submitting its application in a move backers said would make California more competitive.

But support is deeply divided. In Sonoma County, not all districts signed on in support. Santa Rosa and West Sonoma County are among the districts that opted out, while Windsor, Petaluma, Bellevue and the county office of education are pursuing the program at this point.

According to O’Connell’s office 46.5 percent of school districts, representing 58 percent of the state’s school children, have signed on in support and are eligible for whatever money California may receive.

 For past blog entries on this topic click here: http://extracredit.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/11651/from-sacramento-some-race-to-the-top-answers/

http://extracredit.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/11624/santa-rosa-says-no-thanks-to-obama-plan-money/