Salt Lake, Ogden school districts named finalists in Race to the Top competition

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City and Ogden school districts are among 61 finalists selected by the U.S. Department of Education for the Race to the Top-District competition, officials announced Monday.

The 61 finalists represent more than 200 school districts nationwide and were selected from a pool of 372 applications, according to the U.S. Department of Education. The Race to the Top-District competition will provide approximately $400 million to support locally developed plans to improve student performance, college- and career-readiness, and teacher effectiveness.

"These finalists are setting the curve for the rest of the country with innovative plans to drive education reform in the classroom," U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in a prepared statement.

The department expects to award between 15 and 25 applications with four-year grants ranging from $5 million to $40 million. Winners will be announced in December.

"This competition was designed to support local efforts to close the achievement gap and transform the learning environment in a diverse set of districts," Duncan said. "But no matter who wins, children across the country will benefit from the clear vision and track records of success demonstrated by these finalists."