Error on ‘Race To The Top’ Application Costs N.J. $400M In Federal Funds

money out the windowAfter making a high-profile bid for hundreds of millions of dollars in federal education reform money, New Jersey fell three points short of receiving “Race to the Top” funding, in part because of an error by the Christie administration in the state’s application, records obtained by The Star-Ledger show.

One five-point question on the application asked for budget information comparing the 2008 and 2009 school years. However, the state submitted information comparing the current year to 2011.

That mistake cost the state 4.8 points. The state lost points in other areas as well, the records show.

In the end, New Jersey received 437.8 out of a possible 500 points, placing it 11th in the competition, just behind Ohio, which received $400 million and was the last state to receive funding. The winners of the $4.35 billion competition were announced today in Washington, D.C.

“New Jersey did not supply the 2008-2009 data as required and therefore forfeits the points,” said the report from one of the federal reviewers scoring the competition.

According to the program’s rules, there is no appeal process.

Gov. Chris Christie signed off on the application, which stressed tenure reform, merit pay and school choice, on June 1. Read more in Star Ledger.

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11 COMMENTS

  1. I would not put to much faith in what CBS has to say ,you may be right, however I doubt thats the only issue . News broadcasting has become so biased that you can hardly tell the facts from oppinions anymore!

  2. Quote “New Jersey did not supply the 2008-2009 data as required and therefore forfeits the points,” said the report from one of the federal reviewers scoring the competition.”
    this is a sad statement that they cannot follow directions correctly , or were they jus trying to hide something ?

  3. Only problem with application was that it was completed incorrectly by the Christie administration. This tanslates into: Gov. Christie and his education chief “FAILED” a standardized test!!! Unfortunately they are failing the children of NJ big time. Very sad for those who support him.

  4. The bottom line is that it is dirty politics why NJ did not get it, and it proves that our DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMEN need to be replaced

Comments are closed.