Programs and methods to reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation

(a) A local or regional board of education for purposes of subdivision (3) of section 10-4a, may offer such programs or use such methods as: (1) Interdistrict magnet school programs; (2) charter schools; (3) interdistrict after-school, Saturday and summer programs and sister-school projects; (4) intradistrict and interdistrict public school choice programs; (5) interdistrict school building projects; (6) interdistrict program collaboratives for students and staff; (7) distance learning through the use of technology; and (8) any other experience that increases awareness of the diversity of individuals and cultures. (b) Each local and regional board of education shall report by October 1, 2012, and biennially thereafter, to the Commissioner of Education on the programs and activities undertaken in its school district to reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation, including (1) information on the number and duration of such programs and activities and the number of students and staff involved, and (2) evidence of the progress over time in the reduction of racial, ethnic and economic isolation. (c) The Commissioner of Education shall report, by January 1, 1999, and biennially thereafter, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the Governor and the General Assembly on activities and programs designed to reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation. The report shall include statistics on any growth in such programs or expansion of such activities over time, an analysis of the success of such programs and activities in reducing racial, ethnic and economic isolation, a recommendation for any statutory changes that would assist in the expansion of such programs and activities and the sufficiency of the annual grant pursuant to subsection (e) of section 10-266aa and whether additional financial incentives would improve the program established pursuant to section 10-266aa.