Oregon Public Broadcasting

The nation’s top education official said Monda that Oregon’s best shot at getting more federal money for schools will depend on whether it's got better ideas than other states. Rob Manning reports.

Federal officials have sent states most, but not all of the 90 billion dollars Congress approved in education stimulus money. But states such as Oregon have already budgeted all the money they’re getting through standard funding formulas.

Education secretary Arne Duncan did have one suggestion for Oregon officials who are worried about the struggling economy, and about whether voters will reject income tax increases that the Legislature passed.

Duncan said Oregon should target the five billion dollars in competitive federal funds.

Arne Duncan: “You know, there’s literally hundreds of millions of dollars that could come to states that are willing to lead the country where we need to go. So it’s a huge, huge opportunity at a time of great need, and I absolutely hope and anticipate that Oregon will put its best foot forward.”

Oregon leaders have several committees working on the state’s application for the biggest pot of competitive school funding – the four and a half billion dollar “Race to the Top” fund.