Section 54461.

The Director of Compensatory Education shall, under the policy direction of the State Board of Education and the administrative direction of the Director of Education, have overall supervision and control of programs of compensatory education provided throughout the state, and shall take action necessary to coordinate all such programs. He shall, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and the provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and the regulations promulgated thereunder, be responsible for receiving and recommending approval or disapproval to the State Board of Education of local program applications and providing technical and consultative assistance to school districts.

The Director of Compensatory Education shall conduct continuing research and study of the subject of programs of compensatory education, involving not only the examination and evaluation of programs established under the provisions of this chapter but comparable undertakings in other states, to the end of effecting improvement in the administration of the programs for compensatory education established under the provisions of this chapter. He shall serve as a clearinghouse and center of information, and shall issue and disseminate to school districts participating in programs established under this chapter or otherwise affected by problems presented by the presence of disadvantaged minors anywhere, such publications and results of investigations as will tend to foster the establishment of sound programs for compensatory education and to enhance their effectiveness.

He shall collect and provide information concerning sources of federal, state, and local public funds, and private funds, which may be available for compensatory education purposes. It shall be the responsibility of the local officials and agencies of the public school system to take necessary measures to secure all outside financial assistance which may be available.

The State Board of Education, on recommendation of the Director of Compensatory Education, shall determine the eligibility of applicant school districts for grants provided under this chapter. Applications for approval of programs and for grants shall be comprehensive in scope. Applicant districts shall, to the extent practicable, provide programs at all grade levels, but special emphasis is to be given programs provided at the preschool and early elementary grade levels.

(Enacted by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1010.)