The state Department of Education today announced the team that Wednesday will make a presentation aimed at winning up to $400 million in Race to the Top money to improve education.

Pennsylvania is among 16 finalists for the first phase of the $4.35 billion federal program. Fewer than half are expected to win. Those who don't can try again in the second phase. All of the finalists have to send a team to Washington, D.C., to present their cases.

The Pennsylvania team is made up of state Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak; Donna Cooper, secretary of planning and policy for Gov. Ed Rendell; Arlene Ackerman, superintendent of Philadelphia schools; Linda Lane, deputy superintendent for Pittsburgh Public Schools; and Lawrence O'Shea, Executive Director of Delaware County Intermediate Unit 25.

"We are looking forward to making our case for why Pennsylvania has become a national leader in education reform and why it should be among the few states that continue to lead the way through Race to the Top initiatives," Dr. Zahorchak said.

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