Gov. Charlie Crist, who is running for the U.S. Senate without party affiliation, announced on Thursday that the state may be getting more funds for Florida schools through the U.S. Department of Education.

“In speaking to Education Secretary Arne Duncan today, Florida is once again being recognized for continued leadership in education reform,” said Crist. “Along with 24 other states and the District of Columbia, Florida will receive up to $170 million in additional Race to the Top funds.

“As the fiscal agent for the multistate partnership, Florida will work with our partnering states during the next four years to develop new and better ways to measure the knowledge and skills students gain in our classrooms,” added Crist. “The new assessments will help our schools do a better job of preparing Florida’s young people to succeed immediately after graduation, whether in college or the workplace. This collaborative effort, together with Florida’s other Race to the Top reforms, will help ensure Florida students are equipped to compete both nationally and internationally in the global marketplace of the future.”