(Washington, D.C.) - Kentucky is one of 19 states named as finalists in the federal Race to the Top program. 

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the finalists, saluting them for being involved in what he called a "quiet revolution" of education reform nationwide. 

The 19 finalists were culled from 35 states and the District of Columbia that Duncan said "submitted bold blueprints for reform." 

Not all of the finalists will receive grants from the nearly $3.4 billion in the Race to the Top fund.