Federal education grant causes controversy
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Federal education grant causes controversy

Date: September 16, 2009
By: Stephanie Fleming
State Capitol Bureau

 
Intro:  Missouri education commissioner thinks the state should wait on applying for federal grants.
RunTime:  0:47
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Chris Nicastro recommended to the Joint Committee on Education Wednesday that the state not apply for the first phase of the Race to the Top Fund.

Her recommendation was met with heated responses from some members of the committee like Republican Senator Scott Rupp.

Actuality:  RUPP02.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: "There is a hundred million dollars that's sitting out on the table that we're not even going to compete for, and that just doesn't sit well with me."

Rupp said it was irresponsible for the State to not have a plan to apply for the grant.

Nicastro claimed the state would not have adequate time to prepare a competitive application for the December first deadline.

Instead, the commissioner said the state should channel its efforts into the second phase of the application due next spring.

 

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Intro:  Missouri education commissioner said the state is unprepared to apply for a federal grant in December. 
RunTime:  0:37
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: This came as a shock to some, but was understandable to others.

Education commissioner Chris Nicastro said the state should focus on creating a quality application for the second phase, due next spring.

Actuality:  NICASTRO.WAV
Run Time:  00:05
Description: "I don't believe that we can put together a viable application by December one."

The commissioner felt that because Missouri has not received funding previously, it would not be able to assemble a competitive application.

The Race to the Top fund is a federal grant program that could equal $100 million for Missouri public schools.

From Jefferson City, this is Stephanie Fleming

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