 
 CHAPTER 70--STRENGTHENING AND IMPROVEMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY 
                                 SCHOOLS
 
SUBCHAPTER VII--BILINGUAL EDUCATION, LANGUAGE ENHANCEMENT, AND LANGUAGE 
                          ACQUISITION PROGRAMS
 
                       Part A--Bilingual Education
 
           subpart 2--research, evaluation, and dissemination
 
Sec. 7453. Academic excellence awards


(a) Awards

    The Secretary may make grants to, and enter into contracts and 
cooperative agreements with, State and local educational agencies, 
nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education to promote 
the adoption and implementation of bilingual education, special 
alternative instruction programs, and professional development programs 
that demonstrate promise of assisting children and youth of limited 
English proficiency to meet challenging State standards.

(b) Applications

                           (1) In general

        Each entity desiring an award under this section shall submit an 
    application to the Secretary in such form, at such time, and 
    containing such information and assurances as the Secretary may 
    reasonably require.

                           (2) Peer review

        The Secretary shall use a peer review process, using 
    effectiveness criteria that the Secretary shall establish, to review 
    applications under this section.

(c) Use of funds

    Funds under this section shall be used to enhance the capacity of 
States and local education agencies to provide high quality academic 
programs for children and youth of limited English proficiency, which 
may include--
        (1) completing the development of such programs;
        (2) professional development of staff participating in bilingual 
    education programs;
        (3) sharing strategies and materials; and
        (4) supporting professional networks.

(d) Coordination

    Recipients of funds under this section shall coordinate the 
activities assisted under this section with activities carried out by 
comprehensive regional assistance centers assisted under part A of 
subchapter XIII of this chapter.

(Pub. L. 89-10, title VII, Sec. 7133, as added Pub. L. 103-382, title I, 
Sec. 101, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3730.)
