Thanks in part to decadent chairs, $50k ten-day consultants, and state charter school policies, NY state was one of the biggest losers in last week's bid to receive federal education money via the "Race to the Top" program. But all hope is not lost: the fed government is setting aside $350 million specifically for states who create tougher testing standards. (More precisely, according to the Daily News headline: "New York gets another shot millions to make school tests tougher." We get all the shot millions!)

Of course, NY state hasn't actually decided yet whether to apply for these funds (although, considering how poorly their last bid went, why wouldn't they?). But if they do so, they will be required to develop either tougher new annual tests in math and reading for third- to eighth-graders or harder exams for high-schoolers, testing standards that are "rigorous, globally competitive and consistent." Gov. Paterson has already said that the state will come up with a better proposal for the second bid for the "Race to the Top" money in June. Until then, there's always good ole' fashioned bribery!