DE HB46

Authorizes the Department of Education to award competitive start-up grants to public schools for developing new gifted and talented programs for accelerated students.

Grants awarded for a single year with rebuttable assumption of renewal for one additional year, contingent on available funding.

Grant awards evaluated based on curriculum quality, instructor qualifications, school day scheduling, diversity encouragement, and student impact assessment measures.

Preference given to programs offered during traditional school day or providing after-school transportation, and programs explicitly encouraging participation from diverse backgrounds.

Defines "academic work" as instruction in Writing, Reading, Science, Math, Engineering, or other areas specifically incorporating those core academic fields.