Supporters say the bill opens the door for Maine to apply for millions in federal funds, but critics say it will hurt the state's chances to get a share of the "Race to the Top" money.

Maine lawmakers have approved legislation intended to clear the way for Maine schools to compete for up to $75 million in federal "Race to the Top" funds. But some question whether it will achieve that goal.

The bill allows student achievement data to be used in evaluating teachers and principals, a requirement for states to be eligible for a share of the federal money.

Sen. Justin Alfond, a Portland Democrat who co-chairs the Legislature's Education Committee, says the bill boosts the state's chances of winning a share of the federal funds. "It puts us in a great position to apply for the Race to the Top funds. It's exactly what we need to be doing in order to be competitive."

But Sen. Peter Mills, a Cornville Republican who's running for governor, disagrees. Mills says the bill jeopardizes the state's ability to get additional federal aid. "This bill, this version of the bill, will leave us in great jeopardy of being disqualified from getting any Race to the Top money."

Mills says the legislation gives a veto to local teacher union representatives that sit on a five-member group set up to craft the models to be used in making the evaluations. Mills says that arrangement guts local control over teacher assessments.