Associated Press - November 22, 2009 9:04 AM ET

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - 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, but education officials say a chance at the $5 billion pot of money will be worth the effort.

State lawmakers earlier this year agreed to cut public education funding for the first time in generations, and more cuts are expected to help make up for a $52 million budget shortfall.

The state Department of Education says Race to the Top is the only opportunity for education to get additional funding over the next two to three years.

The grant application is due on Jan. 19.

On the Net:

Idaho Department of Education: http://www.sde.idaho.gov/

U.S Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop/index.html

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