Idaho hopes to win $75 million or more in competitive federal grants for public schools, money that officials say could be the state’s only opportunity to boost funding for education in the next few years.
Idaho will have to alter some education rules to get in line with the federal Department of Education’s “Race to the Top” grant program, such as changing the law that limits the number of new charter schools to six a year.
The grant application is due in mid-January and Idaho’s proposal will include a plan to lift the cap on charter schools and pay teachers based on performance – those are both the types of education reforms Idaho public schools chief Tom Luna supports, but has not been able to get approval for in the past.
Several states have already rewritten education laws and cut deals with unions to boost their chances at Race to the Top awards. The $5 billion made available for states was part of the economic stimulus passed this year. The Obama administration opened the competition Nov. 12 with grant guidelines for ideas like charter schools or judging teachers based on student test scores.
Meanwhile, Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire says her state is going to wait until the second round to compete for money from a new federal fund for education reform.
Rather than rush to meet a January deadline for Race to the Top dollars, Gregoire says the state’s education leaders have decided to wait until June. Skipping the first deadline will also give the Legislature time to consider some innovative ideas when it convenes in January.
The federal government is seeking two rounds of state applications and final decisions on the grants will be made next September. Not every state will get money from this new fund and Washington was not expected to be a top contender in the first round. (AP)
