The department of elementary and secondary education shall:

(1)  Establish policies and procedures for the academy consistent with this chapter.

(2)  Carry out the following responsibilities:

(i)  Inform all school systems of the functions and funding of the academy;

(ii)  Help school systems to develop cooperative, partnership, or regional programs;

(iii)  Review and approve proposals submitted by local school systems;

(iv)  Help to create new and productive approaches to providing direct services to meet the needs of gifted and talented students;

(v)  Consult with the state advisory committee established in § 16-42-3 on operation of the academy program;

(vi)  Assure that services funded under the academy’s auspices are direct and supplementary service to gifted and talented students;

(vii)  Monitor funded programs;

(viii)  Report on progress of programs funded under the academy.