PUBLIC LAW 106-554—APPENDIX A 114 STAT. 2763A-87 (2) designate a Lead State Agency under section 810(c) to administer and monitor the grant and ensure State-level coordination of early learning programs; (3) submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require; (4) ensure that funds made available under this title are distributed on a competitive basis throughout the State to Local Councils serving rural, urban, and suburban areas of the State; and (5) assist the Secretary in developing mechanisms to ensure that Local Councils receiving funds under this title comply with the requirements of this title. (b) STATE PREFERENCE. —In awarding grants to Local Councils under this title, the State, to the maximum extent possible, shall ensure that a broad variety of early learning programs that provide a continuity of services across the age spectrum assisted under this title are funded under this title, and shall give preference to supporting— (1) a Local Council that meets criteria, that are specified by the State and approved by the Secretary, for qualifying as serving an area of greatest need for early learning programs; and (2) a Local Council that demonstrates, in the application submitted under section 813, the Local Council's potential to increase collaboration as a means of maximizing use of resources provided under this title with other resources available for early learning programs. (c) LOCAL PREFERENCE.— In awarding grants under this title. Local Councils shall give preference to supporting— (1) projects that demonstrate their potential to collaborate as a means of maximizing use of resources provided under this title with other resources available for early learning programs; (2) programs that provide a continuity of services for young children across the age spectrum, individually, or through community-based networks or cooperative agreements; and (3) programs that help parents and other caregivers promote early learning with their young children. (d) PERFORMANCE GOALS. — (1) ASSESSMENTS. — Based on information and data received from Local Councils, and information and data available through State resources, the State shall biennially assess the needs and available resources related to the provision of early learning programs within the State. (2) PERFORMANCE GOALS.—Based on the analysis of information described in paragraph (1), the State shall establish measurable performance goals to be achieved through activities assisted under this title. (3) REQUIREMENT. — The State shall award grants to Local Councils only for purposes that are consistent with the performance goals established under paragraph (2). (4) REPORT. — The State shall report to the Secretsiry annually regarding the State's progress toward achieving the performance goals established in paragraph (2) and any necessary modifications to those goals, including the rationale for the modifications.
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