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Published December 16, 2012, 10:30 PM

Schools capitalize on direct shot at federal funds

Some of the nation's most conservative states have balked at applying for education funds from the Race to the Top program. So federal officials changed the rules this year: Let individual school districts — not state leaders — choose to participate.

DALLAS (AP) — Some of the nation's most conservative states have balked at applying for education funds from the Race to the Top program. So federal officials changed the rules this year: Let individual school districts — not state leaders — choose to participate.

For the first time this year, schools in Texas, Virginia, Alaska, North Dakota and Vermont were able to vie for the funds.

Texas led the nation with 117 applications. This month two Texas charter-school networks were among the 55 districts nationwide chosen to share nearly $400 million.

There was less enthusiasm in other states that previously skipped Race to the Top. North Dakota and Vermont didn't have any applicants, Alaska had three and Virginia had 24. None of those won grants.

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