Maryland Education Section 5-204

CAUTION: READ FULL TEXT OF SECTION FOR SPECIAL NOTE

// SPECIAL NOTE: THE FOLLOWING SECTION WAS CHANGED BY CHAPTER 352 OF 2001 AND WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL JUNE 30, 2007 //

      (a)      (1)      In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

            (2)      "Challenge grants" means funds distributed by the Department for use in accountability of low-performing schools for school improvement based upon Schools for Success goals.

            (3)      "Data-based areas" means those areas identified by the Department for which information is to be tracked for each school, each school system, and the State related to the 10 Schools for Success goals.

            (4)      "Maryland School Performance Program" means an outcome based education accountability program that concentrates on accountability through school improvement in the public schools.

      (b)      (1)      There may be a School Improvement Research Project administered and directed by the Department.

            (2)      A Schools for Success Fund may be established for challenge grants to implement school improvement.

            (3)      The Department, with the concurrence of county boards, shall select the public schools to receive challenge grants. The recipient schools shall have the following characteristics, as applicable, derived from data-based information:

                  (i)      Low percentage of average daily attendance;

                  (ii)      High percentage of dropouts;

                  (iii)      Low percentage of students passing the Maryland Functional Tests on the first administration;

                  (iv)      Poor performance on the criterion referenced tests; and

                  (v)      Other mutually acceptable factors.

            (4)      Any challenge grant funds provided under this section shall be used as approved by the Department for the recipient schools:

                  (i)      To implement research-based school improvement strategies that lead to sustained improvement in school and student achievement;

                  (ii)      To effect systemic changes, including interagency activities, computer labs, salary incentive programs, staffing, and total quality management; or

                  (iii)      For other purposes.

            (5)      Each public school that is a recipient of a challenge grant shall have a school improvement team constituted according to guidelines established by the Department.

            (6)      Each school improvement team shall establish outcomes, measures for the outcomes, and timelines for its school to show improvement in the data-based areas in accordance with guidelines established by the Department.

            (7)      Selection of school administrative leadership shall be a decision by the local school superintendent with the concurrence of the State Superintendent.

            (8)      Nothing in this section shall require that any particular school system be required to accept a grant from or otherwise participate in the Schools for Success Challenge Grant Program.

      (c)      The Department shall collect and, in accordance with § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, report to the General Assembly by January 15, 2007 a final accountability report on each school that receives a challenge grant, with interim annual reports submitted by January 15 of each year based upon progress toward outcome attainment.