Battle begins over Minnesota's application for second round of 'Race to the Top' funding

Minnesota's teachers union is urging state officials to apply again for federal money under the "Race to the Top" initiative.

The state's first-round application for $330 million failed, but the Minnesota can try again in the second round.

Governor Tim Pawlenty blamed first round loss the teacher's union, which didn't sign on to the effort.

Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher Tuesday called for a collaborative effort with the Pawlenty administration to make a successful application in the second round of competitive grants.

Dooher offered his own theory on why the state lost out in round one.

"Well we think it was based on some of the unproven methods, like pay for performance, that were in there, that we've had three different researchers look at it and say it doesn't make teachers more effective," Dooher said. "And it doesn't close the achievement gap,"

Dooher also offered his support for legislation aimed at boosting achievement in the state's low performing schools. The bill would pay for smaller class sizes and a longer school day.

Meanwhile, DFL Representative Gene Pelowski of Winona is urging state officials to end their pursuit of federal education money under the "Race to the Top" initiative.

Pelowski introduced a bill this week aimed at stopping further applications for the competitive grants.

He says the mandates tied to the federal program will end up costing the state much more than it gets in grants.

"This is the shiny little object dangling in front of us, and no one sees the hook. And the hook is much more dangerous to us than getting any benefit from the shiny object," Pelowski said.