(a) The State Board of Education shall ensure that all necessary department resources and supports are made available for full implementation of this part, including, but not limited to, the implementation of the intensive school improvement plans established pursuant to Code Section 20-14-46 for schools for which a local board of education has entered into a contract amendment or intervention contract with the State Board of Education pursuant to Code Section 20-14-45. Further, the State Board of Education shall ensure that such schools receive priority for the receipt of federal and state funds available to the Department of Education to the fullest extent possible under federal and state law, including, but not limited to, federal school improvement grants and Title I funds. The State Board of Education shall also pursue maximum flexibility in applying for and expending federal funds, including, but not limited to, the consolidation of all federal, state, and local funds in compliance with federal law.

(b) The Office of Student Achievement shall give priority to schools for which a local board of education has entered into a contract amendment or intervention contract with the State Board of Education pursuant to Code Section 20-14-45 when awarding grants pursuant to subsection (b.1) of Code Section 20-14-26.1 or any other grants administered by the office.

(c) (1) The Office of Student Achievement shall be authorized to provide for grants, subject to appropriations, to assist schools in local school systems under a contract amendment or intervention contract pursuant to Code Section 20-14-45 with demonstrated financial need in:

(A) Retaining the services of a third-party specialist to assist in the implementation of an intensive school improvement plan developed pursuant to Code Section 20-14-46 or to provide any other support services deemed necessary pursuant to such plan;

(B) Assessing low-performing students and obtaining specified supports for such students as delineated in subsection (a) of Code Section 20-14-47; or

(C) Both subparagraph (A) and subparagraph (B) of this paragraph.

(2) A school under a contract amendment or intervention contract pursuant to Code Section 20-14-45 with a demonstrated financial need may, upon consultation with the turnaround coach for the school, request grant funds pursuant to this subsection. Upon approval by the Chief Turnaround Officer, the grant request may be submitted to the Office of Student Achievement. The award of any grant funds shall be at the discretion of the Office of Student Achievement, including the amount of any such grant funds awarded. The Office of Student Achievement shall prescribe criteria, policies, and standards deemed necessary for the effective implementation of this subsection, including criteria for a local school system to demonstrate financial need.