Florida's application for a share of the $4.35 billion federal Race to the Top fund could become a $1 billion request, Florida Education Commissioner Eric J. Smith told reporters in a conference call yesterday. Federal guidelines say big states like Florida should aim for changes in the $350 million to $700 range, but they also say states can shoot for more if they want.

In a related development, the state issued this summary of its still-developing application, which offers the most clues yet about where the state wants to go. There are a few dozen proposals here, in a wide range of areas, but it's not clear how far-ranging many of them might be. The application is due by Jan. 19.

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