Idaho teachers can get grants for innovative instructional approaches

School teachers throughout Idaho can vie for a piece of an $85,000 pie.

Gov. Dirk Kempthorne is accepting applications for his Innovative Grant program for the 2004-2005 school year, his office announced Wednesday.

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According to a news release, the grant is awarded to teachers who go the extra mile to incorporate creative ideas in their day-to-day classroom activities. This year, there will be 170 grants at $500 each.

"This is a great opportunity to enhance the classroom experience and I would like to challenge the educators of Idaho to get those applications in as soon as possible," Kempthorne said. "I am anxious to see the wonderful ideas that surface during this upcoming school year."

Last year’s grants were used to create and publish journals and promote relationships with other countries.

However, some grant money went unspent.

To apply for the grant, teachers need to submit a one-page proposal describing their innovative idea and outlining how grant money will be spent. The proposal must be postmarked or received by the governor’s office on or before Sept. 10.

The grant’s recipients will be notified by Oct. 1.

For more information on the Governor’s Innovative Grant, call Parra Byron at (208) 334-2100 or visit the Web site at http://www2.state.id.us/gov/grant.htm.