Washington state isn't in the running for the Race to the Top.

The federal government announced that 18 states and that other Washington (the one with all the statues, monuments, politicians and lobbyists) are finalists.

But Washington state didn't make the cut. We're off the track team, so to speak. Maybe we should go out for a different sport? Or the chess team?

But all kidding aside, the feds will pass out about $3 billion to states that win the competition, to help improve schools.

Gov. Chris Gregoire pushed hard to get schools to join the competition. A statement from her is expected shortly.

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