Senator John Kerry announced today that Massachusetts was one of 15 states along with the Disctrict of Columbia chosen as a Race to the Top finalist. Race to the Top is a federal program that will award ~$4 billion in aid to states with a demonstrated committment to education reform. Two specific areas they are evaluating are stratgies for improving failing schools and the expansion of charter schools.

Milton did not participate in the state’s proposal. A requirement of participation was signatures from the school administration, school board and unions. Like the majority of school districts, Milton did not receive support from the unions which are resisting measures that tie pay to performance.

You can read Senator Kerry’s announcement here.