New York, North Carolina, Georgia and Ohio are among the winners of $3.4 billion in coveted education grants through the second round of the Race to the Top grant competition.

The competition, funded through the 2009 economic stimulus law, has generated enormous interest across the country in efforts to improve education. It puts a premium on ideas to link student achievement data to individual teachers and principals, as well as creating public charter schools and turning around low-performing schools.

Featuring remarks by Deb Delisle, Superintendent of Public Instruction; Marilyn Troyer, Ohio Dept. of Education; Gene Harris, Columbus City Schools; and Melissa Cropper, Georgetown Federation of Teachers.