State skipping round one of 'Race to the Top' competition

Washington won't take part in the initial round of competition for potentially hundreds of millions of federal dollars for education.

Gov. Chris Gregoire had said the state would apply in the first phase of the "Race to the Top" competition knowing it would likely get rejected because Washington lacks such desired items as charter schools and the ability to take over persistently failing schools.

Gregoire had been saying by trying the state could get a better idea of what it needs to do to succeed in the second round.

Gregoire changed course today and said the state won't apply until round two in June..

“I worked with Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn and state Board of Education Chair Mary Jean Ryan to reach this decision,: she said in a statement. "Our kids' futures are at stake as we continue with improvements to our education system and focus on student achievement.

“The federal government has made an unprecedented offer to fund state activities. We need to take the time to involve our school districts and make sure we get our application right.”