Reports ID two states as Race to the Top winners

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will announce Phase 1 winners of the department's $4.35 billion Race to the Top competition during a press conference call with reporters at 12:30 today, but early reports identify Delaware and Tennessee as the winners.

The states will receive part of a $4.35 billion pot meant to encourage the use of innovative programs to improve student performance.

Delaware and Tennessee were selected from 16 finalists. The finalists were announced earlier this month.

Initially, 40 states and the District of Columbia had submitted applications in the to the federal program, including Iowa.

The Hawkeye State wasn't named a finalist. State educators said they will apply again.

The second round of applications are due June 1.