PUBLIC LAW 105-277—OCT. 21, 1998 112 STAT. 2681-396 experience, to evaluate applications under this section, and experts who provide professional development to teachers of reading to children and adults, and experts who provide professional development to other instructional staff, based on scientifically based reading research. "(C) PRIORITY. —The panel shall recommend grant applications from State educational agencies under this section to the Secretary for funding or for disapproval. In making such recommendations, the panel shall give priority to applications from State educational agencies whose States have modified, are modifying, or provide an assurance that not later than 18 months after receiving a grant under this section the State educational agencies will increase the training and the methods of teaching reading required for certification as an elementary school teacher to reflect scientifically based reading research, except that nothing in this Act shall be construed to establish a national system of teacher certification. " (D) MINIMUM GRANT AMOUNTS. — "(i) STATES. —Each State educational agency selected to receive a grant under this section shall receive an amount for the grant period that is not less than $500,000. "(ii) OUTLYING AREAS.— The Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northem Mariana Islands selected to receive a grant under this section shall receive an amount for the grant period that is not less than $100,000. "(E) LIMITATION.— The Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau shall not be eligible to receive a grant under this part. "(d) READING AND LITERACY PARTNERSHIPS.— "(1) REQUIRED PARTICIPANTS.— In order for a State educational agency to receive a grant under this section, the Governor of the State, in consultation with the State educational agency, shall establish a reading and literacy partnership consisting of at least the following participants: "(A) The Governor of the State. "(B) The chief State school officer. "(C) The chairman and the ranking member of each committee of the State legislature that is responsible for education policy. "(D) A representative, selected jointly by the Governor and the chief State school officer, of at least one local educational agency that is eligible to receive a subgrant under section 2255. "(E) A representative, selected jointly by the Governor and the chief State school officer, of a community-based organization working with children to improve their reading skills, particularly a community-based organization using tutors and scientifically based reading research. "(F) State directors of appropriate Federal or State programs with a strong reading component. "(G) A parent of a public or private school student or a parent who educates their child or children in their
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