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<section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="7-1703" title_number="7" title_name="Public Schools" subtitle_number="17" subtitle_name="Public School Opportunities Enhancement Program">
  <level label="a">
    <text>There is a Public School Opportunities Enhancement Grant in the Program.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Department shall develop and administer the grant program to assist:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Local school systems, community schools, and nonprofit organizations in the State in expanding or creating extended day and summer enhancement programs; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Nonprofit organizations in the State and community schools in expanding or supporting existing educational programming during the school day.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <level label="i">
        <text>The Department shall establish policies and procedures for the administration of the grant program, including:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>The grant application process; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>Criteria for awarding grants under this subtitle.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>When awarding grants to nonprofit organizations, the Department shall give priority to:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>Maryland–based nonprofit organizations; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>Nonprofit organizations operating in Maryland on or before July 1, 2016.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>A local school system, community school, or a nonprofit organization may apply to the Department for a grant to:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Expand or create an extended day and summer enhancement program;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Expand or create a summer enhancement program; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Establish new educational or recreational partnerships with:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>Local parks and recreation departments;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>Recreation councils;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="3">
          <text>Local public schools;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="4">
          <text>Public libraries;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="5">
          <text>Institutions of higher education;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="6">
          <text>Private sector businesses; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="7">
          <text>Other nonprofit organizations and foundations.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A nonprofit organization may apply to the Department for a grant to support existing educational programming during the school day, including the recruitment, training, and ongoing professional development of new teachers.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>A public school is encouraged to partner with nonprofit organizations to provide extended day and summer enhancement programs for their students.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>To qualify for a grant awarded in accordance with this subtitle, a grantee shall provide the services listed in subsection (c) of this section in a county in which at least 50% of public school students as a percentage of full–time equivalent students as defined in § 5–202 of this article qualify for a free lunch under the National School Lunch Program.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The total amount of grants awarded shall be allocated to grantees proportionally based on the number of public schools in each county that meet the eligibility requirement in paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Department shall select applications that:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Best incorporate features that will have a positive measurable impact on the conditions of well–being for children and youth as identified by the Maryland Out–of–School Time Programs’ Quality Standards Framework;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>For extended day programs, best integrate an educational component that will assist students in meeting academic requirements on grade level;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>For summer enhancement programs:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>Provide learning and enrichment activities that will assist students in achieving at or above grade level in the next school year; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>Expose students to future learning and life opportunities; and</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>For educational programming during the school day, enhance:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>The educational purpose of the school; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>Students’ access to physical, social, and emotional support.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The Department shall give priority to applications that illustrate the ability to leverage private and existing funding sources.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <level label="1">
      <text>A grantee that receives a grant under subsection (c)(1) of this section shall ensure that an extended school day or summer enhancement program includes an educational component.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A grantee that receives a grant under this subtitle shall provide educational programs that are aligned with the Maryland College and Career–Ready Standards.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="g">
    <text>A local school system that receives a grant under this subtitle shall provide matching funds that are at least equal to the amount of the grant awarded.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="h">
    <text>If a grantee partners with an entity listed in subsection (c)(1)(iii) of this section, the Department shall ensure that the grantee administers any grants awarded in accordance with this subtitle.</text>
  </level>
</section>
