Here's a news item from the Associated Press:

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho lawmaker wants to change the state law limiting the number of new charter schools to six each year, making exceptions for petitions targeted at underserved students. Sen. John Goedde's bill was introduced Monday and would lift limits for charter schools focused on low-income, minority, at-risk and immigrant student populations, along with kids who have disabilities or are gifted and talented. The Coeur d'Alene Republican says he will hold onto the bill until the federal government offers more assurance that Idaho's current charter laws will not hurt its chances at winning $75 million or more in competitive federal grants.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna told lawmakers earlier this month that the state cap on charter schools, which previously appeared to hurt Idaho's odds in the U.S. Department of Education's "Race to the Top" contest, appeared to pass muster under final guidelines released late last year. Goedde says he wants further confirmation from the federal government.

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