Still, he predicts not all money will be used.

In 2001, Utah turned back $402,300 in federal dollars — less than 1 percent of its grants, Ogden said. The next year, it turned back $91,121, and in 2003, $780,000.

Money goes unspent because districts might overestimate costs of a program, Ogden said. Some choose not to participate; a large district recently declined a $35,000 grant because it would be more paperwork than benefit to kids. Ogden's office is looking for another taker.

The Council of Chief State School Officers notes the U.S. Department of Education took more than a year and a half to issue No Child Left Behind regulations, which delayed states from spending money for that purpose.

The U.S. secretary of education this month is expected to issue Congress a summary report on the matter, Martin's letter states.

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Contributing: The Associated Press

E-MAIL: jtcook@desnews.com