(1) EACH GEORGIA LEARNING RESOURCES SYSTEM (GLRS) PROGRAM SHALL:
(a) Engage in the following statewide activities.
1. Develop and provide training, coaching and support for the implementation of evidence-based practices through on-going professional learning in coordination with the Georgia Department of Education, Division for Exceptional Students (GaDOE/DES).
(i) Meet the needs of special education and general education teachers, administrators, and support staff; support school improvement initiatives; and review training results and revise as indicated for continuous improvement.
2. Provide, with training and supervision by the GaDOE/DES, assistance to LEAs in preparation of their Comprehensive Local Education Agency Improvement Plan (CLIP), including IDEA and NCLB goals; assist with Focused Monitoring on-site visits; assist with the development and implementation of the Corrective Action Plan; and assist in the revision of the CLIP following Focused Monitoring on-site reviews, as requested.
3. Collaborate with GaDOE/DES, and other state, regional, and local partners to develop, revise and deliver training and provide information and support to parents, professionals, advocacy groups and other agencies regarding appropriate educational services for children with disabilities.
4. Provide statewide access to materials related to school improvement and research-based instructional strategies for short-term loan and use in professional learning and programming for children with disabilities either directly or through the catalog of GLRS holdings.
(b) Engage in other activities relating to GLRS responsibilities as determined by local priorities in conformity with state work scope requirements. These activities may include appropriate and related activities recommended by local GLRS advisory boards that are not included in the above activities, such as support for regional consortia.
(c) Operate within established parameters as set forth in approved project applications.
1. Each program shall have a functioning regional advisory board constituted according to provisions in state law. The GLRS Advisory Board shall consist of at least one special education representative from each LEA within its designated service area. The board shall jointly determine programmatic aspects of the program in conformance with Georgia’s State Performance Plan.
2. If a majority of the LEAs served by the GLRS program desire to change the fiscal agent, a vote shall be taken no later than April 1 to be effective for the ensuing fiscal year. The fiscal agent responsibility may be transferred to a regional education services agency (RESA) or a LEA provided the new fiscal agent agrees to serve for a minimum of three years.
3. State funding, if available, for the GLRS program shall be through a categorical grant appropriated by the Georgia General Assembly. If available, funding shall be awarded annually by the State Board of Education (GaBOE) to an approved fiscal agent for the operation of the GLRS program upon approval of an application by the GaDOE. The funding allocation shall be determined by legislative appropriation and shall reflect specific amounts required for personnel or other purposes as determined by the GaBOE.
(d) Annual program reports shall be submitted to the GaDOE.
(e) Each GLRS program shall be evaluated on-site through a continuous improvement accountability process or as determined necessary by the GaDOE/DES.
(2) THE FISCAL AGENTS FOR GLRS PROGRAMS SHALL:
(a) Submit a project application to the GaDOE for receipt of funds to operate the GLRS program. The application, including budget details, program activities, and evaluation plans shall be submitted annually by the fiscal agent. The budget shall include specific proposed expenditures of state and federal funds allocated to the GLRS program. Indirect costs shall only be charged against actual expenditures. This charge shall be charged only if the fiscal agent has an approved indirect cost plan based on the restricted state approved rate.
(b) Recruit, select, employ and dismiss program personnel. Each fiscal agent will be minimally required to employ one individual on a twelve month basis to serve as director of GLRS services. This person will be required to possess, at a minimum, a level five professional renewable certificate in special education or school psychology. Leadership certification, in addition to the required certification, is a preferred qualification.
(c) If additional certified personnel are employed they will be required to possess, at a minimum, a level five professional renewable certificate in special education or school psychology. Personnel with certification in an area of locally identified need who are not certified in special education or psychology may be hired with prior approval from the Division for Exceptional Students and the fiscal agent.
(d) Provide and maintain adequate and accessible physical facilities for the GLRS program.
(e) Submit reports of fund expenditures and assure accurate accounting and reporting of program budgets.
(f) Establish administrative policies and procedures for staff and program operation consistent with state requirements, with GLRS board input.
(g) Develop a job description for the GLRS director and any other personnel consistent with GLRS program objectives.
(h) Establish and implement procedures for objective evaluation of GLRS program services, staff performance and program effectiveness.
(i) Report, periodically, fiscal and other matters pertaining to program operation to the GLRS Advisory Board, GaDOE/DES, participating systems and to other agencies as necessary and appropriate.
(3) THE GLRS ADVISORY BOARD SHALL:
(a) Assist the fiscal agent in developing written program policies regarding location, operation, personnel, funding priorities and other matters relating to the program.
(b) Advise the GLRS Director of local priorities for expenditure of available GLRS funds in accordance with state, regional and federal requirements.
(c) Advise GLRS personnel of identified special education needs in staff development, materials/media, information, and other needs identified by LEAs and other agencies.
(d) Provide input to the fiscal agent in the development of administrative policies for the GLRS program that will provide optimum services to all systems served.
(e) Provide advice regarding GLRS program activities and provide constructive feedback for improved operations.
(f) Assist the fiscal agent in devising procedures for performance evaluation of GLRS personnel.
(g) Elect, from among its membership, a GLRS board chairperson and recorder.
(h) Attend meetings of the GLRS Advisory Board.
(i) Assure compliance with state and federal regulations in planning and implementing GLRS programs and services.
(4) This rule shall become effective July 1, 2007.