SB114 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Education, gifted or talented children, grants for educational programs provided by State Department of Education, local match required

Summary

SB114 would let Alabama's State Department of Education award competitive grants to public schools to create or continue gifted and talented programs, with a local match required and funding limited to available funds.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the Department of Education could award grants to public schools to start or continue programs for gifted or talented students. Each grant would cover one year with a possible renewal for one more year if funds are available. The department would set evaluation rules for applications, and grant scoring would be public; local boards must match the grant funds; and programs would be chosen based on criteria like targeted services, curriculum quality, instructor qualifications, school-day or transportation considerations, and impact on student growth.

Who It Affects

• Public schools/districts that may apply for grants and must provide a local funding match to receive funds for gifted or talented programs.
• Gifted or talented students (ages 4 through 19, or until diploma) who would participate in these funded programs and benefit from enhanced services.

Key Provisions

• The Department of Education may award available grants to public schools to start or continue advanced and specialized services for gifted or talented children, contingent on funds.
• Grants are for a single year with a rebuttable presumption of renewal for one additional year if funds permit.
• Grants are awarded using criteria that prioritize programs targeted at gifted or talented students, high-quality curriculum and instructors, integration with the school's infrastructure, preference for traditional school-day delivery or after-school transportation, support for underserved populations, and measures of academic impact.
• The department must adopt an explicit formula to evaluate grant proposals, and grant scoring information must be public.
• Gifted or talented children are defined as ages 4–19 (or those who earn a regular high school diploma) with abilities indicating potential for high performance in identified areas.
• Funds designated for grants must not affect other funding for programs benefiting gifted or talented students, and local boards of education must match any grant funds.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education