Miami-Dade Schools Awarded $30 Mil As "Race To The Top" Finalist

MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) —Miami-Dade County Public Schools are $30 million dollars richer after being named a winner in the Department of Education's Race to the Top district competition.

The grant money will go toward a new math initiative in the district's middle schools that offers students digital resources and professional support from two teachers in every classroom.

Superintendent Alberto Carvalho says the grant will help the district move toward the goal of ensuring every student, no matter their zip code, receives a world-class education.

Miami-Dade schools were one of 16 winners named Tuesday out of 372 applicants. Five Florida school districts were finalists.

The Education Department is awarding $400 in total to help close the achievement gap and prepare student for college and a career.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)