The state is seeking $100 million in federal Race to the Top funds that will go toward early childhood education, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s announced this morning.

“A strong early childhood education gives our children the foundation they need to succeed in the classroom and be ready for college and future careers,” Cuomo said in a statement. “Student achievement at all grade levels often rests on the quality of early learning and this challenge proposal demonstrates New York State’s commitment to making sure our early childhood education programs are among the best in the nation. Our state’s future prosperity depends on a top-rate education system that gives our students the tools they need to be successful and trains the workforce of tomorrow.”

Cuomo’s office notes in a news release that 44 percent of New York’s third graders fail to meet reading standards.

The grant proposal, Cuomo’s office says, is made to change that poor showing by proposing three programs designed to end achievement gaps among students, a tool that will rate kindergarten and early childhood learning programs and improve teacher development.

The proposal was put together by Office of Children and Family Services and Early Childhood Advisory Council, along with the departments of education and health and Office of Menal Health.

New York, along with California, Florida, and Texas, is among the handful of states eligible to receive up to $100 million, the largest pool of money available.

The state received $700 million in June 2010 during the second round of Race to the Top funding.

The 2011-12 state budget, which included spending cuts at nearly all levels as proposed by Cuomo, cut education spending by about $1.2 billion.

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