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Proposal Sets Out 'i3' Rules

Ed. Dept. Eyeing High Bar in Innovation Grant Awards

The U.S. Department of Education is proposing high hurdles for school districts and nonprofit groups that want a piece of the $650 million Investing in Innovation grant program, including evidence of past success in helping students most in need and significant financial commitments from the private sector.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan declared last week that he’s looking for “cutting-edge ideas that will produce the next generation of reform” through what has been dubbed the “i3” grant competition. Its first round will begin next spring, when applications are due.

The proposed rules for the i3 program, a piece of the nearly $100 billion for education in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, were published last week in the Federal Register . The public will have 30 days to comment before the department makes any changes...