PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

Ch. 3

Article - Education

5-203.3.

(A)     (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(2)      "DATA-BASED AREAS" MEANS THOSE AREAS IDENTIFIED BY THE
STATE BOARD THROUGH THE MARYLAND SCHOOL PERFORMANCE PROGRAM FOR
WHICH INFORMATION IS TO BE TRACKED FOR EACH SCHOOL, EACH SCHOOL
SYSTEM, AND THE STATE.

(3)      "MARYLAND SCHOOL PERFORMANCE PROGRAM" MEANS A
PERFORMANCE BASED EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAM THAT FOCUSES ON
ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

(4)      "RECIPIENT SCHOOL" MEANS A PUBLIC SCHOOL THAT RECEIVES A
RECOGNITION AWARD UNDER THIS SECTION.

(B)     IT IS THE INTENT OF THIS SECTION TO REWARD A SCHOOL'S PROGRESS
ON MEETING OR EXCEEDING SCHOOL THAT SHOWS SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT
TOWARDS MEETING STANDARDS ESTABLISHED BY THE STATE BOARD FOR THE
DATA-BASED AREAS OF THE MARYLAND SCHOOL PERFORMANCE PROGRAM.

(C)     (1) TO THE EXTENT THAT FUNDS ARE PROVIDED IN THE STATE
BUDGET, THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT ANNUALLY SHALL DISTRIBUTE
RECOGNITION AWARDS TO:

(I) EACH ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL THAT MEETS
OR EXCEEDS SATISFACTORY STANDARDS FOR ALL DATA BASED AREAS OF THE
MARYLAND SCHOOL PERFORMANCE PROGRAM; AND

(II) ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS THAT SHOW
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT TOWARDS MEETING STANDARDS OF THE MARYLAND
SCHOOL PERFORMANCE PROGRAM.

(2)      THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT BOARD SHALL ESTABLISH
GUIDELINES FOR THE DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR AND DISTRIBUTION OF
AWARDS UNDER PARAGRAPH (1)(II) OF THIS SUBSECTION.

(3)      SCHOOLS RECEIVING CHALLENGE GRANT FUNDS AND SCHOOLS IN
ANY PHASE OF RECONSTITUTION ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR RECOGNITION AWARDS.

(D)     (1) THE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT TEAM OF A RECIPIENT SCHOOL SHALL
DETERMINE HOW THE AWARD SHALL BE USED SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING
CONDITIONS:

(I)       RECOGNITION FUNDS ARE IN ADDITION TO AND MAY NOT
SUPPLANT FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL FUNDS REGULARLY APPROPRIATED FOR
USE BY THE SCHOOL;

(II)     RECOGNITION FUNDS MAY NOT BE USED FOR STAFF BONUSES
OR DIFFERENTIAL PAY INCREASES; AND

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