Part C—Local Innovative Education Programs

§7351. Targeted use of funds

(a) General rule

Funds made available to local educational agencies under section 7312 of this title shall be used for innovative assistance described in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Innovative assistance

The innovative assistance programs referred to in subsection (a) of this section include—

(1) technology related to the implementation of school-based reform programs, including professional development to assist teachers and other school officials regarding how to use effectively such equipment and software;

(2) programs for the acquisition and use of instructional and educational materials, including library services and materials (including media materials), assessments, reference materials, computer software and hardware for instructional use, and other curricular materials which are tied to high academic standards and which will be used to improve student achievement and which are part of an overall education reform program;

(3) promising education reform projects, including effective schools and magnet schools;

(4) programs to improve the higher order thinking skills of disadvantaged elementary and secondary school students and to prevent students from dropping out of school;

(5) programs to combat illiteracy in the student and adult population, including parent illiteracy;

(6) programs to provide for the educational needs of gifted and talented children;

(7) school reform activities that are consistent with the Goals 2000: Educate America Act [20 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.];

(8) planning, designing, and initial implementation of charter schools as described in part C of subchapter X of this chapter; and

(9) school improvement programs or activities under sections 6317 and 6318 of this title.

(Pub. L. 89–10, title VI, §6301, as added Pub. L. 103–382, title I, §101, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3711; amended Pub. L. 105–278, §2(2), Oct. 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 2682.)

References in Text

The Goals 2000: Educate America Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(7), is Pub. L. 103–227, Mar. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 125 (except titles V and IX), as amended, which is classified principally to chapter 68 (§5801 et seq.) of this title (except subchapters V (§5931 et seq.) and IX (§6001 et seq.)). For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5801 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

1998—Subsec. (b)(8), (9). Pub. L. 105–278 added par. (8) and redesignated former par. (8) as (9).

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in section 7353 of this title.

§7352. Administrative authority

In order to conduct the activities authorized by this subchapter, each State or local educational agency may use funds reserved for this subchapter to make grants to and to enter into contracts with local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, libraries, museums, and other public and private nonprofit agencies, organizations, and institutions.

(Pub. L. 89–10, title VI, §6302, as added Pub. L. 103–382, title I, §101, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3711.)

§7353. Local applications

(a) Contents of application

A local educational agency or consortium of such agencies may receive an allocation of funds under this subchapter for any year for which an application is submitted to the State educational agency and such application is certified to meet the requirements of this section. The State educational agency shall certify any such application if such application—

(1)(A) sets forth the planned allocation of funds among innovative assistance programs described in section 7351 of this title and describes the programs, projects, and activities designed to carry out such innovative assistance which the local educational agency intends to support, together with the reasons for the selection of such programs, projects, and activities; and

(B) sets forth the allocation of such funds required to implement section 7372 of this title;

(2) describes how assistance under this subchapter will contribute to meeting the National Education Goals and improving student achievement or improving the quality of education for students;

(3) provide assurances of compliance with the provisions of this subchapter, including the participation of children enrolled in private, nonprofit schools in accordance with section 7372 of this title;

(4) agrees to keep such records, and provide such information to the State educational agency as reasonably may be required for fiscal audit and program evaluation, consistent with the responsibilities of the State agency under this subchapter; and

(5) provides in the allocation of funds for the assistance authorized by this subchapter, and in the design, planning and implementation of such programs, for systematic consultation with parents of children attending elementary and secondary schools in the area served by the local educational agency, with teachers and administrative personnel in such schools, and with other groups involved in the implementation of this subchapter (such as librarians, school counselors, and other pupil services personnel) as may be considered appropriate by the local educational agency.

(b) Period of application

An application filed by a local educational agency under subsection (a) of this section shall be for a period not to exceed three fiscal years, may provide for the allocation of funds to programs for a period of three years, and may be amended annually as may be necessary to reflect changes without filing a new application.

(c) Local educational agency discretion

Subject to the limitations and requirements of this subchapter, a local educational agency shall have complete discretion in determining how funds under this part shall be divided among the areas of targeted assistance. In exercising such discretion, a local educational agency shall ensure that expenditures under this part carry out the purposes of this subchapter and are used to meet the educational needs within the schools of such local educational agency.

(Pub. L. 89–10, title VI, §6303, as added Pub. L. 103–382, title I, §101, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3711.)

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in section 7332 of this title.