NV faces Jan. deadline for education funding

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Nevada faces a Jan. 19 deadline to qualify and apply for the first round of new federal education grants.

Nevada could receive an estimated $60 million to $175 million under the "Race to the Top" program, designed to support innovation in the classrooms. But a law preventing student test scores from being tied to teacher evaluations makes the state ineligible.

Gov. Jim Gibbons has said repealing the law would be on the agenda for a special session if one is necessary to deal with the state budget. Gibbons is weighing the state's fiscal matters and could decide on a special session this month or in January.

U.S. Sen. Harry Reid on Wednesday also urged that Nevada's eligibility to compete for funding be a priority if a special session is called.