Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 102 Part 1.djvu/236

 102 STAT. 198

PUBLIC LAW 100-297—APR. 28, 1988 "Subpart 3—Rural Educational Opportunities

20 USC 2861. Grants. Contracts.

"SEC. 1456. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

"(a) GENERAL AUTHORITY.—The Secretary shall make grants to, or enter into contracts with, institutions of higher education, private nonprofit agencies and organizations, regional educational laboratories, technical sissistance centers established pursuant to section 1436(d), public agencies. State education agencies, or combinations of such agencies or institutions within particular regions of the United States, to pay all or part of the cost of operating at least 10 rural assistance programs. The Secretary may not make a grant to, or enter into a contract with, any agency, institution, organization, or combination thereof under the preceding sentence unless such agency, institution, organization, or combination thereof has extensive experience providing educational assistance to State and local educational agencies. "(b) FUNCTIONS OF REGIONAL RURAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.—

Reports.

20 USC 2862.

Each regional rural assistance program established under subsection (a) shall provide technical assistance, consultation, training, and such other assistance as will assist State educational agencies and local educational agencies in the region to improve the quality of the education provided to educationally disadvantaged children particip'^ting in programs under this chapter who reside in rural areas or attend small schools. Each such program shall give special consideration to, and report on, problems related to districts with declining enrollments and ways in which districts can combine management to provide effective programs. "SEC. 1457. APPLICATION PRIORITY REQUIREMENTS.

"(a) In carrying out this subpart, the Secretary shall give priority to applicants which describe assistance to school districts in local educational agencies in rural areas— "(1) with the highest concentrations of children from lowincome families; "(2) that have a significant number or percentage of schools serving children from low-income families; and "(3) in which there are a significant number of schools in which evaluations indicate lack of substantial progress toward meeting desired outcomes, no improvement, or a decline in aggregate performance by the children participating in programs under this chapter. "(b) Applicants shall consult with State educational agencies and local educational agencies in the application process. 20 USC 2863.

Rural areas.

"SEC. 1458. COORDINATION, DISSEMINATION, AND REPORT.

"(a) COORDINATION.—Each program established under this subpart shall— "(1) coordinate its activities with technical assistance centers established under section 1436(d), "(2) coordinate its activities with the activities of local educational agencies and State educational agencies under section 1021, and "(3) assist in identifying successful programs and practices for dissemination through existing dissemination networks and efforts. "(b) DISSEMINATION AND REPORT.—(1) Each rural assistance program shall be accessible through electronic means.

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