(a) The Department shall create a program to provide the public with objective information about the academic performance of all Delaware public schools, including charter schools, through the Education Profiles required pursuant to § 124A of this title. The program shall classify schools based on the performance of their student bodies on the assessments administered pursuant to § 151(b) and (c) of this title, as well as other criteria as established by the Department of Education regulations pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. The Department shall classify schools by utilizing 3 ratings of school performance to be known as “Superior Performance,” “Commendable Performance,” and “Academic Watch.” A public school may additionally be identified as “Under Improvement” pursuant to criteria of the Federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), 20 U.S.C. § 6301 et seq.

(b) The Department shall establish criteria for the determination of whether a school is eligible for recognition, or subject to improvement and accountability activities. For the purposes of this section, a school may be defined as an aggregate of grade levels or, an actual facility. The Department regulations setting forth such criteria shall be at a minimum consistent with the requirements of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), 20 U.S.C. § 6301 et seq.

(c) The Department shall develop a program to commence during fiscal year 2004 to recognize the performance of schools designated as “Superior Performance” and “Commendable Performance.” Such program shall, subject to the extent of available appropriations, include recognition of schools through the Education Profiles pursuant to § 124A of this title; special ceremonies, the award of plaques or flags.

(d) The Department shall develop a program to improve and hold accountable those schools identified as “Academic Watch.” Such program shall be at a minimum consistent with any sanctions prescribed by the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), 20 U.S.C. § 6301 et seq. and “Under Improvement”.

(e) The Department, with the consent of the State Board of Education, shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement this section; however any such rule or regulation related to collective bargaining shall be written consistent with the authority of the Public Employment Relations Board as that authority is established in Chapter 40 of this title.

71 Del. Laws, c. 399, § 1; 72 Del. Laws, c. 294, §§ 51, 52; 73 Del. Laws, c. 54, §§ 1-15; 74 Del. Laws, c. 28, §§ 2-11; 74 Del. Laws, c. 68, § 291(b); 78 Del. Laws, c. 53, §§ 16, 17; 80 Del. Laws, c. 163, § 1.