The US Department of Education may have removed funding for the creation of end-of-course exams from the Race to the Top, but that doesn't mean Florida isn't trying to get some federal cash for its future testing plans.

Speaking to Pasco County educators today, Florida education commissioner Eric J. Smith said the state has joined a consortium of states that will actively seek access to $350 million the USDOE has set aside to develop assessments for the common core standards that are in development.

The state also hopes to include creation of other types of tests in its application for the Race to the Top, Smith said: "The Race to the Top cannot be used for end-of-course, which is of great sorrow to us. But we do believe it can be used for formative, diagnostic whatever you want, to help formulate education tests. The $350 million would help us with the end-of-course and grade-level assessments."

Visit the Gradebook on Saturday for an interview with commissioner Smith, who talks about funding, class size, performance pay and more.