Oklahoma Not A Finalist In Race To The Top Application: Senate President Pro Tem Coffee, Senate Education Chairman Ford Respond

“We knew from the start that it would be an uphill battle for Oklahoma to prevail in Race to the Top funding this year, but the reforms we passed in the recent legislative session were vital nonetheless,” said Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee. “We’re making progress, and we have more progress to make, with or without federal dollars.”

Senator John Ford (R-Bartlesville), chairman of the Senate Education Committee, concurred. “The reforms we’ve passed in the recent legislative session are very positive for Oklahoma’s students, and put us on the track to better compete in a national and global marketplace,” Ford said. “We will continue to pursue further reform because it’s the right thing to do, regardless of federal incentives.”