Conflict between New Jersey’s Gov. Chris Christie and the state’s teachers unions has not cost the state a shot at more than $400 million in education funding. The federal Education Department on Tuesday named the state as one of 18, along with the District of Columbia, as finalists for a Race to the Top grant. Just before submitting an application last month, New Jersey officials agreed to make changes to win support from the New Jersey Education Association. But Christie said he didn’t want to pander to the union.

The grant could be used to pay teachers for their performance, among other changes to the public education system. AP