Section 3997 - Approval of applications(a) CriteriaThe State shall establish criteria for approval of applications under this section. Such criteria shall include-
(1) consideration of the local district's need for, and inability to locally provide for, the activities, equipment, library and instructional materials requested;(2) the number and nature of elementary and secondary students who will benefit from the planned program; and(3) the expressed level of financial and in-kind commitment from other parties to the program.(b) Approval proceduresThe State shall adopt approval procedures designed to ensure that grants are equitably distributed among-
(1) rural, urban, and suburban areas; and(2) small, medium, and large local educational agencies.Pub. L. 98-377, title III, §327, as added Pub. L. 100-418, title VI, §6031(a)(2), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1482.