Complete Coverage

Idaho Writing Application for Federal Grant Program

Boise, Idaho

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.

But in a state where lawmakers earlier this year agreed to cut public education funding for the first time in generations, and more cuts are expected, a chance at even a sliver of the $5 billion pot of money is...