Ch. 349                                   1995 LAWS OF MARYLAND

Article - Education

5-202,2.

(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
of 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 to
effect systemic changes in the recipient schools, including interagency activities, computer
labs, salary incentive programs, staffing, total quality management, and other purposes
approved by the Department.

(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)     In fiscal year 1993, 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.
Full implementation of changes to the instructional program shall occur in fiscal year
1994.

- 2360 -