WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Louisiana has been named a finalist in the second round of the federal "Race to the Top" school reform grant competition.

18 other states and the District of Columbia have also been named.

The ranking gives our state the chance to win a share of $3 billion.

The competition rewards ambitious reforms aimed at improving struggling schools and closing the achievement gap.

Two states, Tennessee and Delaware, were awarded a total of $600 million in the first round.

Other states are: Arizona, California, Colorado, Washington, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Carolina.