MADISON, Wis. (AP) — President Barack Obama is making a pitch for states to rewrite their education laws and is offering some $5 billion in education grants as leverage.

Obama on Wednesday told an audience in Wisconsin that an education in the United States is a prerequisite to success and that Washington stands ready to help states teach their students. He is making a fresh pitch and challenging lawmakers to set aside bickering and make education a national priority.

Obama's Race to the Top grants will go to states that take a top-to-bottom approach to an overhaul. Obama's administration says it might require some schools to shut down or to replace at least half of the staff.

Teachers unions have opposed such drastic steps.

The last presidential visit to the capital city was made by President Harry Truman in May 1950 when he delivered a speech at the UW Field House. Truman talked about international unity among the world's free nations in the face of a communist threat. The Korean War broke out just weeks after Truman's visit to Wisconsin.

Obama, former presidents Bill Clinton, John Kennedy and other former chief executives have visited Madison, making campaign appearances, but not while they occupied the Oval Office.