ALBANY – Governor David A. Paterson addressed a letter to members of the Legislature earlier this week, urging a speedy approval of his legislation, which would enhance New York State’s application for up to $700 million in education funding, as part of President Obama’s Race to the Top competition.

The competition, according to www.ed.gov, provides competitive grants to encourage and reward states that are creating the conditions for education innovation and reform. The website also stated that awards in Race to the Top will go to states that are leading the way with ambitious yet achievable plans for implementing coherent, compelling, and comprehensive education reform. Race to the Top winners will help trail-blaze effective reforms and provide examples for states and local school districts throughout the country to follow as they too are hard at work on reforms that can transform our schools for decades to come.

The deadline for the first round of the Race is Jan. 19, and Governor Paterson urged lawmakers to take any and all action necessary to ensure success in a process that would reap up to $700 million in funds for education.

“In order for New York to compete for maximum Race to the Top funds, I introduced the Governor’s Program Bill #214 to address minor provisions of New York law which, if not amended, would negatively impact our application,” said the governor.