SECTIONS 44770-44774 - California Statutes

EDUCATION CODE

SECTION 44770-44774

44770. In enacting this chapter, it is the intent of the
Legislature to create and expand regional science resource centers to
increase educational and training opportunities for the teachers and
students of California. Towards that end, the Legislature intends to
provide ongoing funding to support regional science resource
centers, in partnership with nonprofit agencies which have
demonstrated success in attaining private and governmental support
for similar activities on a regional level.

44771. The Superintendent shall designate nonprofit agencies to
serve as regional science resource centers. In order to be eligible
to be designated as a regional science resource center, a nonprofit
agency shall demonstrate all of the following:
(a) A history of doing all of the following on a regional basis:
(1) Developing and operating a large variety of high quality
science exhibits.
(2) Providing teacher training.
(3) Providing educational services for elementary and secondary
school pupils.
(b) That its current efforts would be improved both qualitatively
and quantitatively, and that a greater number of teachers and
students would be served.
(c) Historic success in attracting private and public financial
support for development and use of its science exhibits and for its
teacher training programs.
(d) That its exhibits would be cross-referenced to appropriate
instructional materials and strategies used by public school teachers
providing science and mathematics instruction.
(e) The ability to train a minimum of 200 teachers each year in
all grade levels.
(f) That local school districts have agreed to cooperate in the
teacher training program by providing payment for a portion of the
costs of release time for teacher training.
(g) A commitment to comply with all state and local regulations in
establishing priorities and implementing this chapter.

44772. From funds appropriated for the purposes of this chapter,
the superintendent shall allocate funds to applicant regional science
resource centers. The superintendent shall review each center's
application for funding to ensure that the funds will be used only
for the purposes authorized by Section 44773, and that the objectives
of this chapter will be carried out.

44773. Funds allocated to regional science resource centers
pursuant to Section 44772 shall be used by the centers only for the
following purposes:
(a) Expansion of science exhibits.
(b) Costs of institute staff training.
(c) Payment of a portion of the costs incurred by school districts
using the center's services to train and retrain teachers.
(d) Expansion of teacher training services and educational
services to students at exhibit sites and schools.
(e) Administration and evaluation of project funds.
(f) Classroom materials and supplies relating to science education
developed by the center.

44774. Funds allocated to a regional science resource center
pursuant to this chapter shall supplement, and shall not supplant,
funding for the continuing efforts of these centers to provide
teacher training or educational services to public schools.