(a)

1. (1) The request for proposals to serve as AGS host institution shall be prepared by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education and distributed to presidents of all four-year colleges and universities in Arkansas no later than February of the final year of the current grant cycle.
2. (2) Grant cycles are every five (5) years.
3. (3) In its submitted proposal, the host institution shall define a proposed budget based on availability of grant funds appropriated from the General Assembly.

(b)

1. (1) The Office for the Education of Gifted and Talented Children shall facilitate the work of the AGS host institution selection committee.
2. (2) However, during all substantive discussions by the committee with respect to a host institution recommendation, representatives of the division shall not be present.

(d)

1. (1) Each AGS host institution selection committee member shall actively participate in the site selection process.
2. (2) A committee member who fails to actively participate shall not vote for a host institution recommendation.

(f)

1. (1) Any institution to be considered as host must receive a site visit.

2. (2) Site visits shall be conducted for each institution submitting a proposal, within the following provisions:

   1. (A)

(i) After review of all submitted proposals, the AGS host institution selection committee may elect to limit the number of site visits.

1. (ii) However, if the committee receives more than one (1) proposal, the committee shall conduct site visits for at least two (2) institutions;

   1. (B) Each institution shall provide a private space for the AGS host institution selection committee to meet periodically throughout the visit;
   2. (C) The proposed AGS director or AGS directors shall guide the AGS host institution selection committee throughout the course of the visit;

   3. (D)

      1. (i) Each visit shall include introductions of AGS host institution selection committee members and institution personnel.
      2. (ii) Institution personnel:

(b) (b) May also include the president or chancellor of the host institution and any other university personnel, to be determined by the institution;

1. (E) Presentation of proposal highlights from proposed AGS director or AGS directors;

   1. (F) Tour of facilities designated for use during AGS;
   2. (G) A closing presentation from the host institution;
   3. (H) Opportunity for the AGS host institution selection committee to ask questions; and
   4. (I) Dedicated time for the AGS host institution selection committee to meet privately after the conclusion of the visit.

(g) The AGS host institution selection committee shall evaluate the following elements of the proposal for host institution selection:

1. (1) AGS program logistics, under 6 CAR § 7-104;
2. (2) Curriculum, under 6 CAR § 7-105;
3. (3) Faculty professional learning, under 6 CAR § 7-106;
4. (4) Residential life and student experience, under 6 CAR § 7-109; and
5. (5) Facilities and services, under 6 CAR § 7-110.

(h) In order to determine the AGS host institution selection committee’s recommendation for the host institution, these steps shall be followed at a committee meeting after the conclusion of the site visits:

1. (1) Each member shall individually evaluate each institution being considered using the factors in subsection (g) of this section;
2. (2) Committee members shall collectively discuss all institutions under consideration;
3. (3) Each member shall individually vote for a host institution based on their own independent evaluations as well as the collective discussion;

4. (4)

   1. (A) The votes shall be tallied by the Office for the Education of Gifted and Talented Children.
   2. (B) The institution with the most votes will be recommended as the host institution.
   3. (C) In the event of a tie, the steps listed above shall be repeated until a recommendation can be determined;
5. (5) The committee shall collectively prepare a rationale that supports its recommendation for the chair and co-chair to present to the State Board of Education;
6. (6) The committee’s recommendation shall be submitted by the Office for the Education of Gifted and Talented Children to the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education;
7. (7) The division shall notify the institutions of the committee’s recommendation; and
8. (8) The committee’s chair and co-chair shall present the host institution recommendation to the state board for approval.