Virginia, Maryland and D.C. want to Race to the Top together.

Virginia, Maryland and D.C. want to Race to the Top together. STATE EDUCATION OFFICIALS from Virginia, Maryland and Washington,D.C., are preparing to apply together for part of the $4.35 billion instimulus money that will be awarded to states who devise innovativeplans to increase student achievement. These officials believe that ajoint application will increase their chances of receiving a portion ofthis "Race to the Top" fund. Speaking to a meeting of the Virginia Board of Education. Gov.Timothy Kaine said, "Secretary Duncan suggested that regionalproposals would be looked at very favorably because the dotted linesbetween jurisdictions may or may not mean anything." Kaine shouldknow--he's been asked by Duncan to help with developing certainparts of the competitive grant program. Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland told Cleveland's Plain Dealer in Maythat he has been involved in discussions with "two or three othergovernors" about working together on Race to the Top. Aspokesperson later told DA that these were "very preliminary,informal conversations with his fellow governors in our region." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]