Tennessee Is One Of 16 States That Were Chosen As First Round Finalists For “Race For The Top” Funds. The Announcement Was Made In Washington DC By U.S. Secretary Of Education Arne Duncan. Forty States And The District Of Columbia Submitted Applications In January To Compete In The Program, Which Will Provide $4.35 Billion To Qualifying States. The Premise Is To Reward States That Show The Greatest Willingness To Push Innovative Ideas To Improve Student Achievement Through Greater Testing Standards, Improved Data Collection And Better Teacher Training. Tennessee Could Stand To Secure Up To $500 Million In Federal Funds For Education.