Associated Press - October 30, 2009 8:55 AM ET

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Espanola and Taos school districts will receive more than $2 million in federal funds.

Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall and Rep. Ben Ray Lujan said Thursday the grant comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Teacher Incentive Fund.

The Northern New Mexico Network for Rural Education is a cooperative of 28 rural school districts. It will use the money to implement a performance-based compensation program for teachers and principals in Taos and Espanola.

Bingaman says the money will allow the schools to have outstanding teachers in their classrooms.

The Teacher Incentive Program provides educators with incentives to take on more responsibilities and leadership roles in their schools.

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