§1451 Purpose; definition of personnel; program authority

Summary

Helps state education agencies improve how they train and support people who work with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and children with disabilities so those children get better results. "Personnel" here means special and regular teachers, principals and administrators, related services staff, paraprofessionals, and early intervention workers. If, after certain reserves, less than $100,000,000 is left from the annual appropriation under section 1455, the Secretary of Education must give competitive grants to states based on their State plans. Priority can go to states with the biggest worker shortages or the most trouble meeting section 1412(a)(14). Grants to the 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico must be at least $500,000 and no more than $4,000,000; outlying areas must get at least $80,000. The Secretary can raise amounts for inflation and will decide award sizes by looking at available funds, state population, proposed activities, alignment with section 1412(a)(14) and State plans (sections 6311 and 6611(d)), and use of scientifically based research. If the remaining appropriation is $100,000,000 or more, funds are allotted to states in proportion to what they receive under section 1411(d). States that have unexpired competitive multi‑year grants must receive at least the promised amount and must use it for the agreed activities unless the Secretary approves a change. Minimum allotments must be at least the greater of $500,000 or one‑half of 1 percent of the total for each state/D.C./Puerto Rico, and $80,000 for outlying areas. States must use the funds to directly benefit local school agencies through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements. The Secretary must also reserve money each year to continue certain older multi‑year awards (from before December 3, 2004) if a state asks, and a state that gets such a continuation cannot get another award that year.