Each applicant school district shall establish and implement policies and procedures in order to improve pupil achievement in high-priority schools within the proposal. Applicant districts, as part of any demonstration proposal, may apply for the highest level of demonstration funding in order to provide for additional restructuring in demonstration schools defined as high-priority. It is the intent of the Legislature that in developing policies and procedures to assist all schools, applicant districts give consideration to all of the following:
(a)
Standards of expectations for pupil achievement that exceed districtwide standards of pupil achievement and state-recommended model curriculum standards.
(b)
Offering all pupils access to a rigorous, comprehensive core curriculum and advanced placement programs and classes which include critical thinking and higher level skills, including, at minimum, the elimination of tracking based upon pupil achievement.
(c)
Instructional strategies and supplementary assistance designed to assist all pupils to exceed districtwide standards of pupil achievement.
(d)
Staff development for school personnel designed to support curriculum and instruction necessary for pupils to exceed districtwide standards of pupil achievement and state-recommended model curriculum standards.
(e)
Monitoring and evaluation of school progress toward implementing the management, curriculum, and instruction necessary to support pupil achievement of districtwide standards and state-recommended model curriculum standards.
(f)
Coordinated services between schools and social services and health agencies including children’s protective services, juvenile justice services, nonschool based preschool services, and health care services. It is the intent of the Legislature that this coordination be based upon joint planning among these agencies and comprehensive assessments of the need to: provide services; coordinate service delivery; fill gaps in existing services; and collaborate to address the provision of needed services.
(g)
Expanded schooldays and school years in order to provide opportunities for increased instructional time, tutoring by staff, pupils or volunteers, an environment conducive to learning before and after school and personalized instruction, mentoring, and information from other elementary or secondary students, college students, and adults.
(h)
Outside assistance as necessary to support effective management and teaching at the school; for example, assistance in planning, implementation, staff development, and assessment from universities, colleges, business and industry, county offices of education, or nonprofit agencies dedicated toward improved school functioning and higher pupil achievement.