2207-R-1.00 Statement of Basis and Purpose.

The statutory basis for these rules, adopted November 8, 2001, is found in 22-2-106(1)(a) and (c), State Board duties; 22-2-107(1)(C), State Board powers; and 22-11-301 through 304, C.R.S., Colorado School Awards Program. The Colorado School Awards Program, 22-11-301 through 304, C.R.S., requires the State Board of Education to promulgate rules which include, but are not limited to: procedures for transmitting the financial awards to schools that demonstrate outstanding performance or improvement as indicated by the academic performance ratings issued to public schools pursuant to Section 22-7-604. 2207-R-2.00 Definitions.

2.01 (1) Colorado School Awards Program.

Awards program created in the Department of Education pursuant to 22-11-301 through 304, C.R.S. whereby the State Board of Education shall annually present financial awards to the highest performing and to the most improved public schools in the state based on the academic performance ratings pursuant to Section 22-7-604, C.R.S.

2.01 (2) Department.

Department means the Department of Education created and existing pursuant to Section 24-1-115, C.R.S.

2.01 (3) Public School.

A public school of a school district in this state.

2.01 (4) Program.

Program means the Colorado School Awards Program created pursuant to Section 22-11-301, C.R.S.

2.01 (5) State Board.

State Board means the State Board of Education created pursuant to Section 1 of Article IX of the State Constitution.

2207-R-2.02 Implementation Procedures.

2.02 (1) John Irwin Schools of Excellence Awards

During year one of the program (2001), all of the funds shall be awarded to the public schools that receive an academic performance rating of excellent issued pursuant to Section 22-7-604 (5). These schools shall be known as John Irwin Schools of Excellence.

During subsequent years (beginning with the 2002 School Year), one-third of the program funds shall be awarded to the John Irwin Schools of Excellence. These awardees will be those schools whose overall standardized, weighted total score for academic performance is within the top eight percent of all public schools pursuant to Section 22-7-604 (5).

2.02 (2) Governor's Distinguished Improvement Awards.

In 2002 and each year thereafter, two-thirds of the program funds shall be distributed through the Governor's Distinguished Improvement Awards Program.

2.02 (2) (a) Awards shall first be made to schools that in the previous school year received an academic performance rating of “Low” or “Unsatisfactory” and that received an academic improvement rating of “Significant Improvement” pursuant to Section 22-7-604 C.R.S.

2.02 (2) (b) Any remaining moneys shall be awarded to the public schools whose overall standardized, weighted score for academic performance improved the most as compared to the previous school year. In addition, a school must be in the top eight percent of all public schools with regard to improvement in overall standardized, weighted total scores as compared to the previous school year. Also, the school must not have received an award pursuant to 2.02 (2) (a) of these rules.

2.02 (3) Award Amounts.

Subject to available appropriations, award amounts for all Colorado School Awards shall be five thousand, ten thousand, or fifteen thousand dollars. These amounts depend on the number of pupils attending the public school as reported on the October 1 Count, the year upon which the Excellent School designation was achieved.

2.02 (3) (a) An amount of five thousand dollars shall be awarded to those schools not exceeding 200 pupils.

2.02 (3) (b) An amount of ten thousand dollars shall be awarded to those schools with more than 200 pupils but not exceeding 500 pupils.

2.02 (3) (c) An amount of fifteen thousand dollars shall be awarded to those schools with more than 500 pupils.

2.02 (3) (d) If the available appropriations are insufficient to award each school the amount specified, the Department shall reduce all awards for that year proportionately.

2.02 (3) (e) If a school building contains more than one complete school level, they shall receive only one monetary award regardless of the number of report cards received. The monetary award is based on the total number of pupils within the school building.

2.02 (4) Distribution of Award

2.02 (4) (a) The State Board shall distribute the Colorado School Awards to public schools for use within the school as the principal, after consultation with the School Advisory Council, deems appropriate.

2.02 (4) (b) These award funds shall not supplant moneys made available to the public school from funding received by the school district pursuant to Article 54 of the Colorado School Laws or pursuant to the taxing authority of the school district.

2.02 (5) Timeline for Distribution.

The State Board shall notify recipients of the Colorado School Awards within 90 days immediately following issuance of the Accountability Report that they qualify for the John Irwin Schools of Excellence or Governor's Distinguished Improvement Awards. Distribution of the award funds, pending annual appropriations, will occur as soon as final determination of award amounts is calculated and moneys become available for distribution.

2.02 (6) School Awards Program Fund.

Funds for the program shall be appropriated to the Department by the General Assembly. Any funds unexpended and unencumbered at the end of the fiscal year will remain in the program fund. However, interest from the deposit and investment of these moneys shall be credited to the General Fund. No moneys are available to the Department for administering the program. The amount allocated by the state for the program may be increased by grants, gifts, and donations from public or private sources that will be credited to the fund.