The NJ DOE announced this afternoon that it will indeed apply by January 19th for the competitive first round of Race To The Top stimulus money, which could bring our public schools between $200 and $400 million if the application signals a openness to education reform. After a public spat (see here and here) between the incoming and outgoing administrations, The Record reports that Corzine is “bowing to pressure” and Davy told the Senate Education Committee today that her staff will commence work with the transition team to complete all the paperwork.

Too bad that the application’s been gathering dust since the election, but Corzine is to be commended for his change of heart.