HB585 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Thomas JacksonRepresentative

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Donnie ChesteenBecky NordgrenPaul W. LeeTerri CollinsElaine BeechAlan BakerHarry ShiverDickie DrakeJim Patterson

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Legislative School Performance Recognition Program, established to reward high performing public K-12 schools

Summary

The bill would create the Legislative School Performance Recognition Program to reward Alabama public K-12 schools for high performance or strong improvement.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a program within the State Department of Education to recognize public schools that are either in the top 25% of the school grading system or show at least one letter-grade improvement. All public schools in the grading system can participate, and the state will issue guidelines before implementing it. Funds would be awarded competitively from appropriated money, with up to 20% going to top-performing schools and the rest to improving-progress schools; awarded schools get certain flexibilities in how they use funds. A yearly list of eligible schools would be posted, and the program would use the existing school grading system defined by a 2012 bill.

Who It Affects

• Public K-12 schools in Alabama that are in the top 25% or show at least one-letter improvement, who could receive recognition and potential financial awards.
• School administrators and teachers in those schools, who would participate in the program, help shape guidelines, and may gain flexibility in how funds are used when awarded.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Legislative School Performance Recognition Program within the State Department of Education to reward high-performing or notably improving public schools.
• Defines eligibility as schools that rank in the top 25% or demonstrate exemplary progress by improving at least one letter in the school grading system.
• Allows all public schools in the grading system to participate; requires guidelines and implementation rules to be published (subject to required rulemaking and second year of grading system implementation).
• Requires input from parents, teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders in developing the program.
• Provides for competitive financial awards funded by state appropriations, with up to 20% of funds allocated to top-performing schools and the remainder to improving-progress schools; schools cannot receive both awards simultaneously.
• Gives awarded schools exemptions from certain statutes/regulations related to prescribed uses of funds or categorical spending rules (federal funds excepted), allowing flexibility in spending.
• Must post an annual list of eligible award schools on the Department of Education’s website.
• Uses the school grading system defined by a 2012 bill (House Bill ___) for determining rankings and progress.
• Effective immediately upon passage and governor’s approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education