(A) When a district receives a rating of below average, the state superintendent, with the approval of the State Board of Education, shall appoint an external review committee to study educational programs in that district and identify factors affecting the performance of the district. The review committee must:

(1) examine all facets of school and district operations, focusing on strengths and weaknesses, determining the extent to which the instructional program is aligned with the content standards and shall make recommendations which draw upon strategies from those who have been successful in raising academic achievement in schools with similar student characteristics;

(2) consult with parents and community members to gather additional information on the strengths and weaknesses of the district;

(3) identify personnel changes, if any, that are needed at the school and/or district level and discuss such findings with the board;

(4) work with school staff, central offices, and local boards of trustees in the design of the district's plan, implementation strategies, and professional development training that can reasonably be expected to improve student performance and increase the rate of student progress in the district;

(5) identify needed support from the State Department of Education and other sources for targeted long-term technical assistance;

(6) report its recommendations, no later than three months after the district receives the designation of school/district at-risk, to the superintendent, the district board of trustees, and the State Board of Education; and

(7) report annually over the next four years to the local board of trustees and state board, or as deemed necessary by the state board, on the district's and school's progress in implementing the plans and recommendations and in improving student performance.

(B) Within thirty days, the Department of Education must notify the superintendent and the district board of trustees of the recommendations approved by the State Board of Education. Upon the approval of the recommendations, the Department of Education must delineate the activities, support, services, and technical assistance it will provide to support the recommendations and sustain improvement over time. The external review committee must report annually to the local board of trustees and the state board over the next four years, or as deemed necessary by the state board, on the district's progress in implementing the recommendations and improving student performance.

(C) The review committee shall be composed of State Department of Education staff, representatives from selected school districts, higher education, and business.

HISTORY: 1998 Act No. 400, Section 2; 2008 Act No. 282, Section 1, eff June 5, 2008.

Effect of Amendment

The 2008 amendment renumbered this section from Section 59-18-1570; and, in paragraph (A)(6), substituted "school/district at-risk" for "unsatisfactory".