Massachusetts a finalist in race for federal education grants

BOSTON (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - Massachusetts has been named a finalist for the Obama administration's grant competition to encourage states to revamp their education systems.

The U.S. Department of Education told the state today it is one of 19 finalists in the second round of the administration's $4.3 billion Race to the Top education initiative.

Massachusetts has applied for $250 million under the program, which awards states pursuing education overhauls.

Last week the state adopted national education standards for math and English, which they promised to do in their May application. States get credit if they have adopted the national standards by Aug. 2.

The remaining $3.4 billion in the initiative will be awarded in September. Massachusetts was not among the two states that won the first-round grants.