2 Texas charter schools get fed grants

AUSTIN (AP) — Two Texas public charter schools are among 16 winners nationwide of federal Race to the Top grants.

The U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday that Harmony Public Schools, a consortium of schools statewide, will receive about $30 million over four years.

Its grants will support personalized learning and improving teacher effectiveness.

Getting roughly $29 million over four years is IDEA Public Schools, which has 28 campuses in the Rio Grande Valley and Central Texas.

Gov. Rick Perry had kept the state out of the running previously, saying grants came with too many federal strings attached.

But this year, officials allow individual school districts and charters to apply on their own. Texas had seven finalists, tops nationwide.

The 16 winners represent 55 school districts in 11 states and the District of Columbia

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