Cape Cod Times:

The announcement on Tuesday that Massachusetts has qualified for $250 million in federal grant money under the Obama administration’s “Race to the Top” program would seem to validate the state Board of Education’s unanimous decision in July to adopt the national standards program. The standards will dictate what students across the country will learn in English and math.
Nevertheless, the board’s decision still may prove a liability for Gov. Deval Patrick in his bid for re-election in November.
Nine other states will share more than $3 billion in grants in this second round of awards. Cape Cod schools look to gain almost $2 million — all of which will be targeted toward improving pupil performance, particularly in schools where the student achievement gap is significant. It will provide funding to improve teacher training, overhaul failing schools, and will increase accountability by tying test results to teachers.