Students from West Kearns Elementary School work in the computer lab in January. Lawmak­­ers have cut education budgets this year and now state education officials say Utah won't get as much cash from Race to the Top funds as they were hoping for. (RICK EGAN / Tribune file photo)

Utah schools won't be eligible to win nearly as much federal Race to the Top money as state officials had hoped, but that likely won't stop the state from competing.

State leaders originally thought they could win as much as $400 million for schools in the federal race, which will award $4.35 billion to states that come up with the best plans for certain education reforms. But it turns out Utah would more likely get $60 million to $175 million if it were among the winning states, the U.S. Department of Education announced Thursday.

Brenda Hales, state associate superintendent, said the new number is disappointing but not discouraging. She said the state has probably already completed about half of the estimated 642 hours of work necessary to finish the application.

"It's still a lot of money, and it could make a difference," Hales said.

Arne Duncan, U.S. secretary of education, said Thursday the projected award amounts are based on states' sizes and populations. California, Texas, New York and Florida stand to win the most: $350 to $700 million each. Duncan has not said how many states will share in the $4.35 billion, but the first round of applications is due in January.

"There will be winners and there will be losers," Duncan said Thursday. "Only the best proposals will win."

In order to get the money, states must show they're committed to improving curriculum standards and assessments; improving the collection

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and use of data; increasing teacher effectiveness; and turning around struggling schools. States also must have no legal barriers to linking student test scores to educators' evaluations.

And states must show in their applications support from education leaders and school districts, among others.

Not everyone thinks Utah should apply for the money. Sen. Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, has said the federal government should not have power over state education. And the conservative Sutherland Institute believes accepting Race to the Top money would "deepen Utah's dependence on federal funding and would inhibit state and local educators from doing what is best for Utah's students."

Hales, however, said for the most part, the application has broad support from districts and lawmakers. State education leaders have held meetings in recent weeks to gather feedback from parents, teachers, local school board members, administrators and lawmakers on the issue.

Many believe Utah has a good shot at winning the money because it's already moving toward some of the federal goals. The state is working toward national standards, has a sophisticated data system and a pilot program that rewards teachers for student progress as measured by test results. The New Teacher Project rated Utah as one of 17 states that are competitive or highly competitive for the money, in a recent report.

Utah plans to apply for assistance in preparing its application from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The foundation has already awarded help to 15 states, and others, including Utah, were recently invited to apply for help as well.

Debra Roberts, State Board of Education chairwoman, said the goals of Race to the Top are similar to the state board's goals. "I think it says something for where we're going that it fits in so nicely with what they're trying to accomplish with Race to the Top," she said.