(ALBANY) - U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has announced New York State is a finalist in the second round for Race to the Top funding – which Assemblyman Sam Hoyt is a direct result of the Legislature passing a package of bills sponsored by the Buffalo lawmaker. 

The three bills, which more than doubled the cap on charter schools from 200 to 460, established a state-wide comprehensive data system and set a new teacher evaluation system that served to make New York State viable for up to $700 million in federal funds.

“While I was disappointed to hear that New York did not win funding in the first round of the ‘Race to the Top’ awards, I knew that we would have another chance during the second round.  I applaud the Legislature for passing the necessary reforms in order to put New York in the running this second time around,” Hoyt said. “I have tirelessly promoted these reforms as essential for improving schools across the State.”

Nearly a year ago, Hoyt wrote a letter to Governor David Paterson, urging him to prioritize legislation that would enact needed reforms to make New York eligible for the stimulus funds.  In October, Hoyt introduced legislation that has been described as the most comprehensive education reform bill in New York State in a generation.  Though a special session was convened in January, it was done only 24 hours prior to the application's due date and no legislation was passed.  It was not until May of 2010 that the reforms were adopted, in time for New York to submit a more competitive application for the second round of funding.  The package of legislation sponsored by Hoyt made New York eligible to be a finalist in this second round of awards.

“The Obama Administration made it clear when they awarded only two states in the first round that they are rewarding states that are ready and willing to implement serious education reform,” Hoyt said. “As Secretary Duncan said, ‘Education is the civil rights issue of our time.’  These are much-needed funds for New York and I will do everything in my power to ensure our schools, teachers and students get the funding they deserve.”

The winners for the second round of Race to the Top will be announced in September.