NJ’s second attempt at securing Race To The Top funds goes public on Monday at 10, with a press briefing late tomorrow. (We’ll be there; look for details Friday evening.) Here’s a tip sheet from Democrats for Education Reform on what we need to do to be competitive. Look for expansion of school choice, closure of failing schools, tenure reform, and merit pay, which needs legislative approval. Union buy-in, such an intense focus during our last application? Looks like NJ is taking a bye on that, a strategically expedient move given current relations between NJEA’s leadership and Gov. Christie.