Section 161.223

Title XI EDUCATION AND LIBRARIES

Chapter 161

Effective - 28 Aug 1998   

  161.223.  Grants from department of elementary and secondary education to local school districts, preferences, discrimination prohibited. — 1.  Subject to appropriation from general revenue, the department of elementary and secondary education shall provide grants to assist local public school districts, community-based organizations and nonprofit agencies, including resettlement programs, to provide instruction in the English language to individuals residing in the community or district who have language background other than English and who need assistance in learning English.  Preference in grants shall be given to communities and districts demonstrating the most need.

  2.  Services provided through the grants authorized in this section shall be offered at times and locations designed to best assure access to the services and may include the provision of services at the individual's home, refugee resettlement center, community centers, adult basic education offices, schools, and other places where such individuals congregate.

  3.  An entity accepting a grant under this section shall not discriminate in the provision of English language services on the grounds of the individual's race, color, religion, gender, age or national origin.  Such entity shall not discriminate against a child based upon the nature of the child's school.  Any entity accepting a grant under this section may provide English language instruction to individuals of one specific language background.

  4.  As funds are appropriated by the Missouri general assembly, the department of elementary and secondary education shall implement classes and provide instructional material for all age groups to assist individuals who are not proficient in the English language.

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(L. 1998 S.B. 583 & 645 § 3)