The Associated Press reports that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded the District a share of $3.4 billion in federal “Race to the Top” grant funds. It is the largest-ever federal investment in school reform. D.C. will share the funds with nine states, including Maryland; the exact amount that the District will receive (and what it will be used for) will be announced at a later date. The Department of Education judged applications for funding based on “ambitious yet achievable plans for implementing coherent, compelling, and comprehensive education reform.” The District, with its new teacher evaluation system and the current administration’s commitment to reform obviously made for a very strong application. It’s a certainty that you’ll also be hearing plenty of boasting about the award from Mayor Adrian Fenty as the primary election gets closer. UPDATE: D.C. will receive a $75 million share of the funds, according to a DCPS press release.