Colorado could land $500 million for education reform

DENVER - Colorado stands to gain up to $500 million in stimulus money because of education reforms recently implemented in the state.

Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien and Education Commissioner Dwight Jones appeared on YOUR SHOW Sunday morning to talk about the so-called "Race to the Top" money.

The Federal Department of Education has vowed to give grants to states that set high standards, have a modern testing system and are helping kids get ready for college.

If Colorado wins, the money could not be used to make up for state budget cuts.

"It's really to push a reform agenda. It's to agree to the higher standards, agree to new assessments, to agree to turn around their lowest performing schools, to agree to link professional development to teacher evaluation so it's meant to be an investment in the infrastructure of education, but not to backfill budget cuts to operations," O'Brien said.

It will be up to individual Colorado school districts to decide if they want to join the state in its application to the Federal Department of Education.

The feds have set aside $4 billion in Race to the Top grants to be given out in April and September.