Texas § ED.29.0881 - STRONG FOUNDATIONS GRANT PROGRAM

§ ED.29.0881. STRONG FOUNDATIONS GRANT PROGRAM

STRONG FOUNDATIONS GRANT PROGRAM. (a) The commissioner shall establish and administer a strong foundations grant program for campuses or a program at a campus serving students enrolled in prekindergarten through grade five to implement a rigorous school approach that combines high-quality instruction, materials, and support structures. (b) The commissioner shall adopt components that school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and campuses of the districts or schools must implement under the strong foundations grant program. The components must include: (1) use of high-quality instructional materials, curricula, and curricular tools; (2) use of aligned diagnostic and formative assessments; (3) aligned professional supports; (4) practices designed to ensure high-quality supports for students with disabilities; (5) evidence-based practices to increase and maintain parental engagement; and (6) measurement of fidelity of implementation of the program. (c) Grants provided under the strong foundations grant program may be in the form of funds, in-kind resources, or both. (d) The commissioner shall use funds appropriated, federal funds, and other funds available for the strong foundations grant program to assist school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in implementing the program. (e) A school district or open-enrollment charter school that receives grant funds under this section may use the funds to: (1) financially support or train or otherwise prepare educators and other staff; (2) pay for agreements with other entities to provide prekindergarten services; or (3) pay for accelerated instruction provided under Section 28.0211 . (f) The commissioner may accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source, including private and nonprofit organizations, for the program. A private or nonprofit organization that contributes to the program may receive an award under Section 7.113 . Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 910 (H.B. 4545 ), Sec. 4, eff. June 16, 2021. Amended by: Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 404 (H.B. 1416 ), Sec. 3, eff. June 9, 2023.