The State Department of Education shall implement a schoolwide grant program to enhance the teaching of the grade specific standards adopted by the State Board of Education and to increase the academic performance of students in grades K-5 in the core academic areas of reading, mathematics, social studies, and science. The grant shall include an evaluation component to measure the success of increasing student performance and the teaching of the standards. Of the reading, mathematics, social studies, and science appropriation for this purpose from lottery proceeds each year, $500,000 must be used for teacher in-service training and professional development related to Project Read.

The awarding of grants shall be based upon their ability to promote the goals of providing every student with the competencies to:

(1) read, view, and listen to complex information in the English language;

(2) write and speak effectively in the English language;

(3) solve problems by applying mathematics;

(4) conduct research and communicate findings;

(5) understand and apply scientific concepts;

(6) obtain a working knowledge of world, United States, and South Carolina history, government, economics, and geography; and

(7) use information to make decisions.

Additionally, grants shall be awarded based upon the likelihood that receiving such grants shall strengthen the above referenced skills and increase the academic performance of students in the core academic areas. In the awarding of grants every effort should be made to ensure that all geographic areas of the State are represented. First priority shall be given to acceptable grants from schools rated as below average or unsatisfactory and grants designed to increase academic performance of historically underachieving students.

Grant applications received by the State Department of Education shall be reviewed by a panel of individuals with knowledge and expertise of the subject area and of programs that have proven to be successful within the State or throughout the nation.