Plea for RI school funding in D.C.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - A delegation of education officials from Rhode Island are in Washington, D.C. Wednesday to make their case in the Race to the Top .

Rhode Island's education commissioner Deborah Gist and Thomas Brady, the superintendent of Providence Schools are among the officials representing the Ocean  State. They will argue their case to secure more than $126 million in federal funding for Rhode Island schools.

Local officials say that securing the Race for the Top grants will help Rhode Island attract and keep good teachers, have the most up-to-date teaching tools, and will keep schools and learning spaces in good repair.

Rhode Island was named as a "phase 1 finalist" on March 4 . The Department of Education is holding the competition "to better engage and prepare our students for success in a competitive 21st century economy and workplace," according the Department's web site.