Michigan schools aren`t part of the first round of the federal Race to the Top school reform package, according to an announcement from the U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

Duncan released a video this morning listing 15 states and the District of Columbia as finalists for the first round in the $4.3 billion program -- but did not include Michigan.

"We couldn`t be more proud of the hard work and commitment around the country to driving reform and taking student achievement to an entirely different level," Duncan said.

Finalists are Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Winners are to be announced during the first week in April.

"Those that didn`t get in the first round, we hope and expect that you come back and apply for the second round," Duncan said.

Those applications are due in June. Duncan also announced the department included an additional $1.35 billion for school reform in the 2011 budget, opening the door for a third round of reform dollars.

Michigan legislators passed a series of controversial reforms in preparation for the state`s application, including a limited lifting the cap on charter schools, calling for state intervention in failing buildings and raising the mandatory attendance age.