Pennsylvania today was named one of 19 finalists in the competition for federal Race to the Top money aimed at certain education reforms.

This is the second time Pennsylvania has been a finalist in its quest to win up to $400 million for education in the state.

It doesn't mean Pennsylvania necessarily will win the money. It's uncertain how many ultimately will be awarded funding.

In addition to Pennsylvania, the other finalists are Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, and South Carolina.

In the first round, Pennsylvania ranked seventh of 41 competitors in the competition, but only two winners -- Delaware for about $100 million and Tennessee for about $500 million -- were selected.

That left the bulk of $4.35 billion allotted to Race to the Top open for more competition.

Other states were told they could enter the second round, and 36 states decided to do so.

Each applicant has been scored based on plans submitted. The judges have been looking for qualities such as adoption of the Common Core State Standards, openness to charter schools, efforts to improve the lowest-achieving schools, performance pay for teachers and a large buy-in by educators in the state.

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