New Nevada laws needed to secure education grants

Page Last Updated: Monday October 26, 2009 7:12am PDT

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Nevada could qualify for up to $200 million in federal education grants -- but only if the Legislature is willing to quickly change state law.

At stake is money from the $4.5 billion "Race to the Top" program, which provides funding for innovative school programming.

To get a shot at grant funds, states must allow the use of student test scores as part of teacher evaluations.

Nevada law bars the practice.

State Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-North Las Vegas, says lawmakers don't want to miss a federal grant opportunity. But changing the law now would require a special legislative session.

Nevada Superintendent of Public Instruction Keith Rheault says top aids to Governor Jim Gibbons tell him the governor would put the issue on the agenda, but only if other matters warrant a session.
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