SB83 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

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

Summary

SB83 would authorize the State Department of Education to award competitive grants to public schools to start or continue advanced programs for gifted or talented students, funded by available funds with local matching required.

What This Bill Does

It allows the department to provide one-year grants (renewable for one additional year if funds allow) to public schools to create new or continue existing programs for gifted or talented students. Grants are awarded based on criteria like targeted services, curriculum quality, instructor qualifications, and school integration, with preference for daytime programs or those with after-school transportation and for serving underserved groups, plus a requirement to measure student growth. The department must adopt an explicit evaluation formula and publish grant scores; local boards must match grant funds, and funding for these grants should not reduce other state funding for gifted programs.

Who It Affects

• Public schools and local boards of education would receive or compete for grants and must provide matching funds to implement gifted programs.
• Gifted or talented students (ages 4–19 or those with a high school diploma) would gain access to new or expanded advanced programs, with emphasis on serving traditionally underserved student groups.

Key Provisions

• authorize the State Department of Education to award competitive grants to public schools for starting new or continuing existing programs for gifted or talented students, with the number of grants depending on available funds
• grants shall be for a single year and may be renewed for one additional year contingent on funding
• grant selection criteria include targeted services for gifted students, curriculum quality, instructor qualifications, and integration with school infrastructure, with preference for daytime programs or programs with after-school transportation and for serving underserved populations
• programs must include a means to assess impact on participating students' academic growth
• the department shall adopt an explicit formula for evaluating grant proposals and grant scoring information shall be public
• defines gifted or talented children (ages 4–19 or until high school diploma) and includes criteria such as general intellectual ability, academic aptitude, creativity, leadership, arts, and psychomotor abilities
• the department shall comply with guidelines in Chapter 39, Title 16, and funds for grants may not affect other state funding for gifted programs
• local boards of education shall match any grant funds awarded

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