20 U.S.C. § 9410 : US Code - Section 9410: State requirements

Search 20 U.S.C. § 9410 : US Code - Section 9410: State requirements

(a) Eligibility
To be eligible for a grant under this chapter, a State shall -
(1) ensure that funds received by the State under this chapter
shall be subject to appropriation by the State legislature,
consistent with the terms and conditions required under State
law;
(2) designate a Lead State Agency under section 9409(c) of this
title to administer and monitor the grant and ensure State-level
coordination of early learning programs;
(3) submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in
such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary
may require;
(4) ensure that funds made available under this chapter are
distributed on a competitive basis throughout the State to Local
Councils serving rural, urban, and suburban areas of the State;
and
(5) assist the Secretary in developing mechanisms to ensure
that Local Councils receiving funds under this chapter comply
with the requirements of this chapter.
(b) State preference
In awarding grants to Local Councils under this chapter, the
State, to the maximum extent possible, shall ensure that a broad
variety of early learning programs that provide a continuity of
services across the age spectrum assisted under this chapter are
funded under this chapter, and shall give preference to supporting -

(1) a Local Council that meets criteria, that are specified by
the State and approved by the Secretary, for qualifying as
serving an area of greatest need for early learning programs; and
(2) a Local Council that demonstrates, in the application
submitted under section 9412 of this title, the Local Council's
potential to increase collaboration as a means of maximizing use
of resources provided under this chapter with other resources
available for early learning programs.
(c) Local preference
In awarding grants under this chapter, Local Councils shall give
preference to supporting -
(1) projects that demonstrate their potential to collaborate as
a means of maximizing use of resources provided under this
chapter with other resources available for early learning
programs;
(2) programs that provide a continuity of services for young
children across the age spectrum, individually, or through
community-based networks or cooperative agreements; and
(3) programs that help parents and other caregivers promote
early learning with their young children.
(d) Performance goals
(1) Assessments
Based on information and data received from Local Councils, and
information and data available through State resources, the State
shall biennially assess the needs and available resources related
to the provision of early learning programs within the State.
(2) Performance goals
Based on the analysis of information described in paragraph
(1), the State shall establish measurable performance goals to be
achieved through activities assisted under this chapter.
(3) Requirement
The State shall award grants to Local Councils only for
purposes that are consistent with the performance goals
established under paragraph (2).
(4) Report
The State shall report to the Secretary annually regarding the
State's progress toward achieving the performance goals
established in paragraph (2) and any necessary modifications to
those goals, including the rationale for the modifications.
(5) Improvement plans
If the Secretary determines, based on the State report
submitted under paragraph (4), that the State is not making
progress toward achieving the performance goals described in
paragraph (2), then the State shall submit a performance
improvement plan to the Secretary, and demonstrate reasonable
progress in implementing such plan, in order to remain eligible
for funding under this chapter.