(1) For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “District of innovation” means a district that has developed a plan of innovation in compliance with this section and has been approved by the State Board of Education to be exempted from certain administrative regulations and statutory provisions to improve the educational performance of students within the district;

(b) “Innovation” means a new or creative alternative to existing instructional and administrative practices intended to improve student learning and student performance of all students;

(c) “School of innovation” means a school that voluntarily participates in a district of innovation plan to improve instruction, including waivers and exemptions from local school board policies, selected provisions of rules and regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education, and selected sections of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as permitted under this section and Section 37-179-3;

(d) “Board” means the State Board of Education;

(e) “Department” means the State Department of Education.

(2) The State Board of Education is authorized to approve districts of innovation for the purposes of improving students’ educational performance. Districts of innovation shall be provided flexibility from selected board regulations, Title 37, Mississippi Code of 1972, and local school board policies for school administrators, teachers and staff to meet the diverse needs of students. The initial approval of a district of innovation shall be for a five-year period. Each renewal of a district of innovation shall not exceed five (5) years and shall comply with administrative regulations promulgated by the board pursuant to subsection (4) of this section.

(3) The board shall promulgate administrative rules and regulations to prescribe the conditions and procedures to be used by a local school board to be approved as a district of innovation and shall publish the same on or before December 31, 2015.

(4) Administrative rules and regulations promulgated by the board under subsection (3) of this section shall specify:

(a) The regulatory areas which may be exempted or modified if approved by the board, except as provided in Section 37-179-3(2), and in addition to those areas identified in Section 37-179-3(3);

(b) The application, plan review, approval and amendment process for a district;

(c) Timelines for initial approval as a district of innovation, the renewal process and ongoing evaluative procedures required of the district;

(d) Acceptable documentation of a critical mass of parental, community, educator and business support and capacity to effect a change;

(e) Evidence of teacher collaboration and shared leadership within the district and the schools to be designated as schools of innovation;

(f) The process of revocation of the designation of district of innovation or school of innovation;

(g) Reporting and oversight responsibilities of the district and the State Department of Education;

(h) The financial detail relating to budgets of schools and evidence of sound fiscal management practices;

(i) Acceptable areas of emphasis for innovation;

(j) Acceptable documentation of job-embedded professional development within the proposed innovation design; and

(k) Other components deemed necessary to implement this section and Section 37-179-3.