Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 111 Part 1.djvu/152

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Ill STAT. 128 PUBLIC LAW 105-17—JUNE 4, 1997 "(ix) the plan is integrated, to the maximum extent possible, with other professional development plans and activities, including plans and activities developed and carried out under other Federal and State laws that address personnel recruitment and training; and "(x) the State will provide for the joint training of parents and special education, related services, and general education personnel; "(E) strategies that will address systemic problems identified in Federal compliance reviews, including shortages of qualified personnel; "(F) how the State will disseminate results of the local capacity-building and improvement projects funded under section 611(f)(4); "(G) how the State will address improving results for children with disabilities in the geographic areas of greatest need; and "(H) how the State will assess, on a regular basis, the extent to which the strategies implemented under this subpart have been effective; and "(4) describe how the improvement strategies described in paragraph (3) will be coordinated with public and private sector resources. "(d) COMPETITIVE AWARDS.— Grants. "(1) IN GENERAL. —The Secretary shall make grants under this subpart on a competitive basis. "(2) PRIORITY. —The Secretary may give priority to applications on the basis of need, as indicated by such information as the findings of Federal compliance reviews. "(e) PEER REVIEW.— "(1) IN GENERAL.— The Secretary shall use a panel of experts who are competent, by virtue of their training, expertise, or experience, to evaluate applications under this subpart. "(2) COMPOSITION OF PANEL.^A majority of a panel described in paragraph (1) shall be composed of individuals who are not employees of the Federal Government. " (3) PAYMENT OF FEES AND EXPENSES OF CERTAIN MEM- BERS. —The Secretary may use available funds appropriated to carry out this subpart to pay the expenses and fees of panel members who are not employees of the Federal Government. "(f) REPORTING PROCEDURES. —Each State educational agency that receives a grant under this subpart shall submit performance reports to the Secretary pursuant to a schedule to be determined by the Secretary, but not more frequently than annually. The reports shall describe the progress of the State in meeting the performance goals established under section 612(a)(16), analyze the effectiveness of the State's strategies in meeting those goals, and identify any changes in the strategies needed to improve its performance. 20 USC 1454. " SEC. 654. USE OF FUNDS. " (a) IN GENERAL.— "(1) ACTIVITIES.—^A State educational agency that receives a grant under this subpart may use the grant to carry out any activities that are described in the State's application and that are consistent with the purpose of this subpart.