WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Education announced that Maryland has been selected to receive $250 million in
Race to the Top funding:

“The selection of Maryland to receive

Race to the Top
federal education funding is a vote of confidence in our State’s education system, a system that focuses on high standards, turning around underperforming schools, high teacher quality and strong student achievement.
 Maryland schools are top ranked because we have a strong partnership among administrators, teachers, students and parents.
  

“Maryland also is committed to making sure our students have the education and skills to pursue high-level jobs that will be needed in the 21
^st Century.
  I particularly want to commend Governor O’Malley’s forceful leadership for ensuring our State has one of the top performing schools systems in the nation.
  Maryland has undertaken the necessary reforms and changes to ensure the success of our students and to make sure we have top-quality teachers.
  The selection of Maryland for

Race to the Top
funding is a clear indication that our school system and our students are among our nation’s top performers.”