Montgomery, AL – Alabama for the second time has failed to make the list of finalists for the federal ``Race to the Top'' grants.
Alabama was not on the list of finalists released Tuesday by Education Secretary Arne Duncan.
Alabama also failed to make the first list of finalists, released in March, for part of the $3.4 billion in federal grants that are to reward innovative public education programs.
Gov. Bob Riley pushed the Legislature this year to pass legislation authorizing charter schools. Riley felt the legislation would help the state win in the ``Race to the Top Competition.'' The legislation was defeated in both the House and Senate.
Riley's communications director, Jeff Emerson, said the governor believes Alabama will continue to fail in the competition until the Legislature approves charter schools.
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