Despite the hype, It sounds like a (sadly) pretty easy race to the top for states hoping to take a victory lap around the Department of Education’s discretionary pot ‘o stimulus money for innovation.

In formal announcements last week about the Race to the Top competition, Secretary Duncan singled out a few states he thinks are already out of the gate toward the stimulus fund victory lap as far as their work with charter legislation is concerned, but is it possible he’s already lowered the bar before they get to the finish line?

Take a look at the “accomplishments” of five states he has already commended and see for yourself:

Rhode Island - After working towards making mayoral academies a reality in the Ocean State last year, reformers had to wage a fight on the pages of national newspapers just to receive the money they were promised to open two new charter schools. So, a legislature that reneges on a promise only to save face by fulfilling it in the end is a contender in the Race to the Top? (They still have a cap by the way, Mr. Secretary.)

Connecticut - At the end of the day, a budget cut to charters was voted down. Innovation at work.

Indiana - A charter school cap and moratorium were fiercely debated, but in the end taken off the table. So, not deciding to limit the growth of charters is enough to win a place of honor?

Massachusetts - The Bay State may or may not expand charter options to a specific group of students in specific areas. They may or may not pass proposed legislation to have a slightly less restrictive cap on charter seats in some districts. Will a wink and a nod from DoEd turn the tide one way or the other?

Colorado - Of all states, Colorado may be the most shameless in actively seeking $timulus support without much reform. They added a $10 million fund and some people to their state education budget with only the goal of securing education money from the Race to the Top.

If this is any guide, it’s going to be a very sad race.

(At least legislators won’t have to break a sweat…)

Though often accused of backwards thinking, the U.S. Senate this evening actually took a step backwards, voting 58 - 39 against the Ensign amendment attaching a continuation of the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program to the hotly debated Omnibus spending bill. This vote flies in the face of the intent of hundreds of programs in ARRA and the budget, and comes on the very same day that President Obama promised the American people that his Administration “will use only one test when deciding what ideas to support with your precious tax dollars. It’s not whether an idea is liberal or conservative, but whether it works.”

By all accounts, D.C. OSP was working on many levels for the lucky 1,700 kids - among the District’s poorest - benefiting from the educational opportunities offered by their scholarships.

Perhaps more of his colleagues should have been in attendance for Sen. Joe Lieberman’s passionate defense of D.C. OSP (of which he has been a long-suffering champion), though I guess it’s hard to raise campaign funds if you’re working in the Chamber…

(click on the image above to see what they must have missed)