The State Board of Education shall establish and design a program of awards for exemplary performing public schools. The purpose of the awards program shall be to stimulate innovation and improvement in student achievement through the provision of awards to schools.
The board shall establish criteria and guidelines for making awards to exemplary performing public schools.
The board, in conjunction with the Governor, shall reward schools for exemplary performance and bring best practices to the attention of other schools. The awards shall include public recognition by the board and the Governor and the awarding of plaques, certificates, etc. for schools that perform well. The board shall have flexibility to recognize not only entire schools but also to recognize exemplary programs within a school.