AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine education officials say they didn’t make the cut in the second round of the federal “Race to the Top” school reform grant program.

Maine was among the 35 states and the District of Columbia that applied for $3.4 billion in grants that were available through the U.S. Department of Education.

But Maine was not on the list of 18 states and the District of Columbia that were named as finalists on Tuesday.

Maine had been hoping to get up to $75 million for efforts to improve data systems, improve teaching and learning, turn around low-achieving schools and improve the state’s standards and assessments.

Acting Education Commissioner Angela Faherty said even without federal funding, Maine will move ahead with improvements to schools.