(a) The Department of Education shall establish a grant program in each fiscal year in which funds are appropriated to identify and disseminate information regarding exemplary classroom projects.

(b) Regional educational service centers may apply for grants under this section at such time and on such forms as the Commissioner of Education prescribes. The grants shall be used to identify exemplary classroom projects in the local and regional schools within their respective districts and disseminate information state-wide regarding the identified projects.

(c) Within the availability of funds, the amount to which each regional educational service center shall be entitled in each fiscal year shall be determined by multiplying the total amount appropriated for such fiscal year by the ratio of the number of full-time equivalent staff members, certified pursuant to § 10-145, in each region, to the total number of such certified staff members in the state. If the commissioner finds that any such grant is being used for purposes which are not in conformity with the purposes of this section, the commissioner may require repayment of the grant to the state.

(d) Each regional educational service center shall prepare a financial statement of expenditures and an annual project report. The report shall describe project activities and the degree to which the project met its goals and objectives. Such financial statements and reports shall be submitted to the department on or before September first of the fiscal year immediately following each fiscal year in which the regional educational service center participates in the grant program. Not later than January 15, 1989, the State Board of Education shall report to the committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education concerning the operation and effectiveness of the programs funded under this section.