The federal government has rejected Michigan's bid for Race to the Top education funding, a grant that would help bolster the state's ailing schools. Only 16 states were approved to receive a portion of the $400 million available. Even though denied in this round, Michigan can apply for the second round in June.

Some schools in the Eastern Upper Peninsula had submitted agreements to the Michigan Department of Education in January stating they would follow the state's reform plan to qualify for the funding. This included measuring teacher and principal performance by tracking student progress.

Had Michigan been approved, St. Ignace Area Schools was in line to receive about $39,461 and Les Cheneaux Community Schools could have received about $25,837.