Glenn Blain The NY Daily News reports that Education Secretary Arne Duncan warned New York that the state could lose close to $1 billion in federal school funding if it makes no progress on a system to grade teachers, a higher figure than previously reported ($300 million more). The money includes $700 million in federal Race to the Top money. Now the feds have tacked on $100 million in School Improvement Grants and nearly $200 million in teacher incentive funds. According to the Daily News, Albany is also piling on as Gov. Andrew Cuomo threatens to link state school funds to the adoption of new teacher evaluations. The battle pits the Governor against the teachers unions and Democrats in the State Assembly. Cuomo accused the Assembly of protecting the teachers union at the expense of the students, when they adopted a 2010 law. The law makes it possible for each school district and teachers union to negotiate new teacher evaluations. Negotiations with the United Federation of Teachers broke down in December. The 2012 state budget currently calls for a 4% boost in total school aid. Read the full story in The NY Daily News.