Photo by dcJohn

The Post reports today that both D.C. and Maryland are prepared to apply for the next round of grants from President Obama’s Race to the Top initiative. The competition started last summer, with public schools across the nation applying for over $4 billion in federal funding by showing they would raise standards and would properly monitor those changes. Delaware and Tennessee came out the big winners in the first round, taking home $100 million and $500 million, respectively.

Maryland has promised to reassess their teacher evaluation program, getting the approval of the teachers unions all but two counties — Montgomery and Frederick. D.C.’s application focuses on charter schools and Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s policies.

Virginia, meanwhile, after a poor finish in the first round announced in March, will not be participating in further rounds. Gov. Bob McDonnell addressed the subject this morning, saying that while he continued to support Race to the Top — as he did throughout his campaign last year — competing in the initiative would “reduce the quality of Virginia standards.”