(1)The state board, subject to available appropriations, shall award school
transformation grants to one or more school districts or charter schools or to the
institute to use in:
(a)Identifying and recruiting practicing and aspiring school turnaround
leaders;
(b)Subsidizing the costs incurred for school turnaround leaders and their
leadership staff, if appropriate, to participate in turnaround leadership development
programs offered by identified providers;
(c)Reimbursing school turnaround leaders for the costs they incur in
completing turnaround leadership development programs offered by identified
providers;
(d)Providing educator professional development for educators working in
public schools that are implementing priority improvement or turnaround plans;
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(1)
The state board, subject to available appropriations, shall award school
transformation grants to one or more school districts or charter schools or to the
institute to use in:
(a) Identifying and recruiting practicing and aspiring school turnaround
leaders;
(b) Subsidizing the costs incurred for school turnaround leaders and their
leadership staff, if appropriate, to participate in turnaround leadership development
programs offered by identified providers;
(c) Reimbursing school turnaround leaders for the costs they incur in
completing turnaround leadership development programs offered by identified
providers;
(d) Providing educator professional development for educators working in
public schools that are implementing priority improvement or turnaround plans;
(e) Providing services, support, and materials to transform instruction in
public schools that are implementing priority improvement or turnaround plans; and
(f) Planning for and implementing one or more of the following rigorous
school redesign strategies:
(I) Converting a district public school to a charter school if it is not already
authorized as a charter school;
(II) Granting innovation school status to a district public school pursuant to
section 22-32.5-104;
(III) With regard to a district or institute charter school, replacing the
school's operator or governing board;
(IV) Contracting with a public or private entity other than the school district
to partially or wholly manage a district public school, which entity is accepted by
the department and the local school board as using research-based strategies and
having a proven record of success working with schools under similar
circumstances; or
(V) Closing a public school or revoking the charter for a district or institute
charter school.
(2) A school district, the institute, or a charter school that seeks a school
transformation grant must apply to the department as provided by rule of the state
board. The department shall review all of the applications received and, based on
the criteria adopted by rule, recommend to the state board the applicants that may
receive school transformation grants and the grant amounts. Subject to available
appropriations, the state board, taking into account the department's
recommendations, shall award school transformation grants from money
appropriated by the general assembly to the department for the program.
(3) Each school transformation grant may continue for up to three budget
years. The department shall annually review each grant recipient's use of the grant
money and may rescind the grant if the department finds that the grant recipient is
not making adequate progress toward achieving the goals identified in the grant
application.
(4) During the term of the grant, each grant recipient shall annually report to
the department the information requested by the department to monitor the
effectiveness of the school transformation grants, which must include
consideration of the impact that the use of each grant makes on raising student
achievement and establishing a positive school culture. Notwithstanding section
24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), the department shall analyze and summarize the reports received
from grant recipients and annually submit to the state board, the governor, and the
education committees of the senate and the house of representatives, or any
successor committees, a report of the effectiveness of the school transformation
grants awarded pursuant to this section. The department shall also post the annual
report on its website.
(5) Repealed.
(6) (a) Of the money annually appropriated for school transformation grants,
the department may expend an amount that is necessary to offset the direct and
indirect costs incurred in administering the grant program.
(b) Of the money annually appropriated for school transformation grants, the
department may expend an amount that is necessary to enter into one or more
contracts with a public or private entity to provide the uses described in subsection
(1) of this section to multiple school districts or charter schools that are eligible for
a school transformation grant. The entity shall use research-based strategies and
have a proven record of success working with schools under similar circumstances.