ORS 343.399 State aid to local districts; criteria

Any school district may apply for state funds for special programs and services for talented and gifted children identified in the district. A school district may apply for state funds by submitting an application to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The superintendent shall annually establish a date after which no further applications for state funds may be submitted under this section.

The superintendent may approve only applications that comply with ORS 343.391 to 343.413 and rules adopted by the State Board of Education. Any criteria used by the superintendent to evaluate applications shall include, but need not be limited to:

A statement of the school district’s present level of special educational programs and services for talented and gifted children and how the special educational programs and services contained in the application conform with the school district’s written plan for instruction for talented and gifted children described in ORS 343.397.

Identification procedures that comply with rules adopted by the board.

A detailed budget for the program expenditures.

A description of the individual student assessment and evaluative procedures and tools.

A justification of special educational services and programs for talented and gifted children identified in the school district in terms of the student assessment and evaluation.

An evaluation design that meets standards set forth by the Department of Education.

The superintendent may not approve an application unless the school district agrees to expend district funds for special educational programs for talented and gifted children in an amount equal to or greater than the amount of state funds approved by the superintendent.