NY among 'Race to the Top' grant winners

The U.S. Education Department says at least four states will receive money in the second round of the $4.35 billion “Race to the Top” school reform grant competition.

Department spokesman Justin Hamilton says the winners so far are Georgia, New York, North Carolina and Ohio. More winners are expected to be announced Tuesday.

The competition has instigated a wave of reforms across the country, as states passed new teacher accountability policies and lifted caps on charter schools to boost their chances of winning.

The aim of the historic program is to reward ambitious changes to improve schools and close the achievement gap.

Tennessee and Delaware were named winners in the first round of the competition in March, sharing $600 million. The states named winners on Tuesday will share a remaining $3.4 billion.