(1) This section shall be known and may be cited as the “Challenge Grant Program for the Gifted.”
(2) There is hereby created a grant program for education for the gifted which shall be administered by the Commissioner of Education in cooperation and consultation with appropriate organizations and associations concerned with education for the gifted and pursuant to rules adopted by the State Board of Education. The program may be implemented in any public school.
(3) Pursuant to policies and rules to be adopted by the State Board of Education, each district school board, two or more district school boards in cooperation, or a public school principal through the district school board may submit to the commissioner a proposed program designed to effectuate an exemplary program for education for the gifted in a school, district, or group of districts. Consideration for funding shall be given to proposed programs of district school boards that are developed with the cooperation of a Florida College System institution or public or private college or university for the purpose of providing advanced accelerated instruction for public school students pursuant to s. 1003.435. In order to be approved, a program proposal must include:(a) Clearly stated goals and objectives expressed, to the maximum extent possible, in measurable terms.
(b) Information concerning the number of students, teachers, and other personnel to be involved in the program.
(c) The estimated cost of the program and the number of years for which it is to be funded.
(d) Provisions for evaluation of the program and for its integration into the general curriculum and financial program of the school district or districts at the end of the funded period.
(e) Such other information and provisions as the commissioner requires.
(4) The commissioner shall review and approve, disapprove, or resubmit for modification all proposed programs for education for the gifted submitted. For those programs approved, the commissioner shall authorize distribution of funds equal to the cost of the program from funds appropriated to the Department of Education for exemplary program grants for education for the gifted as provided for by this section. These funds shall be in addition to any funds for education for the gifted provided pursuant to s. 1011.62. 