Current through the 2024 legislative session
Section 21-22-106 - Distribution of trust funds available to public schools; innovative program grants; criteria(a) From amounts appropriated by the legislature, the department of education shall annually distribute funds not to exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00) from the school foundation program account to school districts as innovative program grants to fund programs providing innovation in or improvement to public education through the creation of new, different and improved educational opportunities in elementary or secondary schools, including: (i) Curriculum development activities such as initiatives in world languages, mathematics, social studies, English and the sciences, programs to develop critical or creative thinking, programs involving the private sector and programs providing parental and family training;(ii) Operational initiatives such as modification to class schedules, school day, week, month or year calendar and scheduling of extracurricular activities;(iii) Administrator and staff development and improvement programs such as performance incentives, awards for excellence, professional training and development programs and performance evaluation programs;(iv) Acquisition of technological equipment for programs expanding curriculum, enriching student education, enhancing staff development and providing community service;(v) Applied science and technology programs designed to meet future labor market demands and to integrate public school programs with needs of business and industry;(vi) Technical preparation programs integrating specific public school programs with community college programs and working with business and industry to prepare students for technical and academic careers;(vii) Evaluation programs designed to determine the effect and achievement of innovative programs previously funded or currently provided within the district;(viii) Regional developmental programs, including those designed to better prepare children for elementary school, and to improve parents' skills in developing their children's learning skills.(b) In addition to criteria specified under subsection (a) of this section, priority shall be given to those programs which supplement not supplant existing courses and curriculum, are easily transferred to or duplicated by other districts, provide matching funds from nonstate sources and demonstrate the ability of the recipient district to continue the program after expiration of innovative program grant monies.Amended by Laws 2023, ch. 139,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2024.Amended by Laws 2022 , ch. 82, § 1, eff. 7/1/2022.