State board to establish criteria for selecting schools of excellence; annual school of excellence awards

The state Board of Education shall promulgate rules, in accordance with the provisions of article three-b, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code, outlining criteria for the identification of schools of excellence. Such criteria shall include, but not be limited to, improvement in student achievement in comparison to state and national norms, improvement in reducing drop-out rates, improvement in standardized test scores, implementation of advanced or innovative programs, implementation of the goals and purposes of jobs through education as provided in section eight, article two-e of this chapter, improvement in parent and community involvement, improvement in parent, teacher and student satisfaction, improvement in student attendance and other factors which promote excellence in education. Such rules shall be promulgated by January 1, 1991. Such rules may not prohibit any school from applying for consideration as a school of excellence. Each year, the state board shall select one high school, one middle or junior high school and one elementary school within each regional educational service agency district, and one vocational school selected on a statewide basis to be awarded school of excellence status. The rules promulgated by the state board shall outline appropriate methods of recognizing and honoring the students, teachers and other employees and parents or members of the school community who have contributed to excellence in education at the school.