§3997. Approval of applications
(a) Criteria
The State shall establish criteria for approval of applications under this section. Such criteria shall include-
(1) consideration of the local district's need for, and inability to locally provide for, the activities, equipment, library and instructional materials requested;
(2) the number and nature of elementary and secondary students who will benefit from the planned program; and
(3) the expressed level of financial and in-kind commitment from other parties to the program.
(b) Approval procedures
The State shall adopt approval procedures designed to ensure that grants are equitably distributed among-
(1) rural, urban, and suburban areas; and
(2) small, medium, and large local educational agencies.
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