newjerseynewsroom.com

Failed 2010 effort sparked major political embarrassment for Gov. Christie

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

New Jersey is preparing to go after as much as $50 million in 2011 federal “Race to the Top“ education aid.

Allison Kobus, a state Department of Education spokesperson, said Wednesday it is too early to provide more information on the development of the Christie administration’s application.

The term “Race to the Top” can send a chill down the back of Gov. Chris Christie and his education staff. In August, an error on the 2010 application cost the state $400 in federal aid. It also sparked the most political embarrassing incident of the governor’s 17 months in office and cost Education Commissioner Bret Schundler his job. The governor's office did not reply to a request for comment.

Nine states are eligible for a share of $200 million this year.

Democratic legislators are getting out ahead of any administration announcement and calling on Christie not to be shy about seeking the aid.

“A competition of this kind can only bring more energy to the discussion in our schools, and in our communities, about our efforts to bring about reform,” Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex), chairwoman of the upper house Education Committee, said.

The $200 million comes from a 2010-11 appropriations bill passed by the House and Senate last month that provides $700 million for Race to the Top. The federal government will use $500 million to fund a “Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge,” a competition for aid to fund early childhood education.