Subpart 6 – Gifted and Talented Students

SEC. 5461. SHORT TITLE.

This subpart may be cited as the ‘Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act of 2001’.

SEC. 5462. PURPOSE.

The purpose of this subpart is to initiate a coordinated program of scientifically based research, demonstration projects, innovative strategies, and similar activities designed to build and enhance the ability of elementary schools and secondary schools nationwide to meet the special educational needs of gifted and talented students.

SEC. 5463. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this subpart shall be construed to prohibit a recipient of funds under this subpart from serving gifted and talented students simultaneously with students with similar educational needs, in the same educational settings, where appropriate.

SEC. 5464. AUTHORIZED PROGRAMS.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary (after consultation with experts in the field of the education of gifted and talented students) is authorized to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, State educational agencies, local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, other public agencies, and other private agencies and organizations (including Indian tribes and Indian organizations (as such terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b)) and Native Hawaiian organizations) to assist such agencies, institutions, and organizations in carrying out programs or projects authorized by this subpart that are designed to meet the educational needs of gifted and talented students, including the training of personnel in the education of gifted and talented students and in the use, where appropriate, of gifted and talented services, materials, and methods for all students.

(2) APPLICATION- Each entity seeking assistance under this subpart shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require. Each such application shall describe how —

(A) the proposed gifted and talented services, materials, and methods can be adapted, if appropriate, for use by all students; and

(B) the proposed programs can be evaluated.

(b) USE OF FUNDS- Programs and projects assisted under this section may include each of the following:

(1) Conducting —

(A) scientifically based research on methods and techniques for identifying and teaching gifted and talented students and for using gifted and talented programs and methods to serve all students; and

(B) program evaluations, surveys, and the collection, analysis, and development of information needed to accomplish the purpose of this subpart.

(2) Carrying out professional development (including fellowships) for personnel (including leadership personnel) involved in the education of gifted and talented students.

(3) Establishing and operating model projects and exemplary programs for serving gifted and talented students, including innovative methods for identifying and educating students who may not be served by traditional gifted and talented programs (such as summer programs, mentoring programs, service learning programs, and cooperative programs involving business, industry, and education).

(4) Implementing innovative strategies, such as cooperative learning, peer tutoring, and service learning.

(5) Carrying out programs of technical assistance and information dissemination, including assistance and information with respect to how gifted and talented programs and methods, where appropriate, may be adapted for use by all students.

(6) Making materials and services available through State regional educational service centers, institutions of higher education, or other entities.

(7) Providing funds for challenging, high-level course work, disseminated through technologies (including distance learning), for individual students or groups of students in schools and local educational agencies that would not otherwise have the resources to provide such course work.

(c) SPECIAL RULE- To the extent that funds appropriated to carry out this subpart for a fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2002 exceed such funds appropriated for fiscal year 2001, the Secretary shall use such excess funds to award grants, on a competitive basis, to State educational agencies, local educational agencies, or both, to implement activities described in subsection (b).

(d) CENTER FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary (after consultation with experts in the field of the education of gifted and talented students) shall establish a National Research Center for the Education of Gifted and Talented Children and Youth through grants to, or contracts with, one or more institutions of higher education or State educational agencies, or a combination or consortium of such institutions and agencies and other public or private agencies and organizations, for the purpose of carrying out activities described in subsection (b).

(2) DIRECTOR- The National Center shall be headed by a Director. The Secretary may authorize the Director to carry out such functions of the National Center as may be agreed upon through arrangements with institutions of higher education, State educational agencies, local educational agencies, or other public or private agencies and organizations.

(3) FUNDING- The Secretary may use not more than 30 percent of the funds made available under this subpart for fiscal year 2001 to carry out this subsection.

(e) COORDINATION- Scientifically based research activities supported under this subpart —

(1) shall be carried out in consultation with the Office of Educational Research and Improvement to ensure that such activities are coordinated with and enhance the research and development activities supported by such Office; and

(2) may include collaborative scientifically based research activities which are jointly funded and carried out with such Office.

SEC. 5465. PROGRAM PRIORITIES.

(a) GENERAL PRIORITY- In carrying out this subpart, the Secretary shall give highest priority to programs and projects designed to develop new information that —

(1) improves the capability of schools to plan, conduct, and improve programs to identify and serve gifted and talented students; and

(2) assists schools in the identification of, and provision of services to, gifted and talented students (including economically disadvantaged individuals, individuals with limited English proficiency, and individuals with disabilities) who may not be identified and served through traditional assessment methods.

(b) SERVICE PRIORITY- The Secretary shall ensure that not less than 50 percent of the applications approved under section 5464(a)(2) in a fiscal year address the priority described in subsection (a)(2).

SEC. 5466. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

(a) PARTICIPATION OF PRIVATE SCHOOL CHILDREN AND TEACHERS- In making grants and entering into contracts under this subpart, the Secretary shall ensure, where appropriate, that provision is made for the equitable participation of students and teachers in private nonprofit elementary schools and secondary schools, including the participation of teachers and other personnel in professional development programs serving such students.

(b) REVIEW, DISSEMINATION, AND EVALUATION- The Secretary shall —

(1) use a peer review process in reviewing applications under this subpart;

(2) ensure that information on the activities and results of programs and projects funded under this subpart is disseminated to appropriate State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and other appropriate organizations, including nonprofit private organizations; and

(3) evaluate the effectiveness of programs under this subpart in accordance with section 9601, in terms of the impact on students traditionally served in separate gifted and talented programs and on other students, and submit the results of such evaluation to Congress not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

(c) PROGRAM OPERATIONS- The Secretary shall ensure that the programs under this subpart are administered within the Department by a person who has recognized professional qualifications and experience in the field of the education of gifted and talented students and who shall —

(1) administer and coordinate the programs authorized under this subpart;

(2) serve as a focal point of national leadership and information on the educational needs of gifted and talented students and the availability of educational services and programs designed to meet such needs;

(3) assist the Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement in identifying research priorities that reflect the needs of gifted and talented students; and

(4) shall disseminate, and consult on, the information developed under this subpart with other offices within the Department.

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