Education Achievement Authority (EAA) (Update: Race To The Top grant consideration)

   STATEWIDE Reform school district among grant finalists

   The state’s reform school district — the Education Achievement Authority of Michigan — is among 61 applicants selected as finalists for the Race to the Top-District grant competition, the U.S. Department of Education announced Monday.

   The 2012 grant program will provide close to $400 million for plans to personalize learning, improve student achievement and educator effectiveness, close achievement gaps and prepare students for college and careers.

   The EAA took control of 15 Detroit schools this year, the first step in its objective to improve the state’s lowest-performing 5% of schools.

   The 61 finalists were selected from 372 applications nationwide. About 15 to 25 are expected to win four-year awards that will range from $5 million to $40 million. Winners will be announced by Dec. 31.