STRONG FOUNDATIONS GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) The commissioner shall establish and administer a strong foundations grant program for campuses or a program at a campus serving students enrolled in prekindergarten through grade five to implement a rigorous school approach that combines high-quality instruction, materials, and support structures.

(b) The commissioner shall adopt components that school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and campuses of the districts or schools must implement under the strong foundations grant program. The components must include:

(1) use of high-quality instructional materials, curricula, and curricular tools;

(2) use of aligned diagnostic and formative assessments;

(3) aligned professional supports;

(4) practices designed to ensure high-quality supports for students with disabilities;

(5) evidence-based practices to increase and maintain parental engagement; and

(6) measurement of fidelity of implementation of the program.

(c) Grants provided under the strong foundations grant program may be in the form of funds, in-kind resources, or both.

(d) The commissioner shall use funds appropriated, federal funds, and other funds available for the strong foundations grant program to assist school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in implementing the program.

(e) A school district or open-enrollment charter school that receives grant funds under this section may use the funds to:

(1) financially support or train or otherwise prepare educators and other staff;

(2) pay for agreements with other entities to provide prekindergarten services; or

(3) pay for accelerated instruction provided under Section 28.0211.

(f) The commissioner may accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source, including private and nonprofit organizations, for the program. A private or nonprofit organization that contributes to the program may receive an award under Section 7.113.