115 STAT. 1654 PUBLIC LAW 107-110-JAN. 8, 2002 of a stipend or bonus under this section shall not reduce or otherwise affect the entitlement of the participant to any benefits under chapter 30 of title 38, United States Code, or chapter 1606 of title 10, United States Code. 20 USC 6675. " SEC. 2305. PARTICIPATION BY STATES. "(a) DISCHARGE OF STATE ACTIVITIES THROUGH CONSORTIA OF STATES.— The Secretary may permit States participating in the Program to carry out activities authorized for such States under the Program through one or more consortia of such States. " (b) ASSISTANCE TO STATES.— "(1) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.— Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may make grants to States participating in the Program, or to consortia of such States, in order to permit such States or consortia of States to operate offices for purposes of recruiting eligible members of the Armed Forces for participation in the Program and facilitating the employment of participants in the Program as elementary school teachers, secondary school teachers, and vocational or technical teachers. "(2) LIMITATION. —The total amount of grants made under paragraph (1) in any fiscal year may not exceed $5,000,000. 20 USC 6676. "SEC. 2306. SUPPORT OF INNOVATIVE PRETIREMENT TEACHER CER- TIFICATION PROGRAMS. "(a) PURPOSE. — The purpose of this section is to provide funding to develop, implement, and demonstrate teacher certification programs. " (b) DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND DEMONSTRATION. — The Secretary may enter into a memorandum of agreement with a State educational agency, an institution of higher education, or a consortia of State educational agencies or institutions of higher education, to develop, implement, and demonstrate teacher certification programs for members of the Armed Forces described in section 2303(a)(1)(B) for the purpose of assisting such members to consider and prepare for a career as a highly qualified elementary school teacher, secondary school teacher, or vocational or technical teacher upon retirement from the Armed Forces. "(c) PROGRAM ELEMENTS.— A teacher certification program under subsection (b) shall— "(1) provide recognition of military experience and training as related to certification or licensing requirements; "(2) provide courses of instruction that may be conducted on or near a military installation; "(3) incorporate alternative approaches to achieve teacher certification, such as innovative methods to gaining field-based teaching experiences, and assessment of background and experience as related to skills, knowledge, and abilities required of elementary school teachers, secondary school teachers, or vocational or technical teachers; "(4) provide for courses to be delivered via distance education methods; and "(5) address any additional requirements or specifications established by the Secretary. " (d) APPLICATION PROCEDURES.— "(1) IN GENERAL. —^A State educational agency or institution of higher education (or a consortium of State educational agencies or institutions of higher education) that desires to enter into a memorandum under subsection (b) shall prepare and
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