The School Recognition Program recognizes the high quality of many of Florida's public schools. As authorized in Section 1008.36, the program provides greater autonomy and financial awards to schools that demonstrate sustained or significantly improved student performance. Schools that receive an A or schools that improve at least one performance grade category are eligible for school recognition. Funds for the Florida School Recognition Program shall be awarded by the Commissioner of Education in the amount of $100 per Full Time Equivalent student for each qualifying school.

The staff and school advisory council at each recognized school jointly decide how to use the financial award. As specified in statute, schools must use their awards for one or any combination of the following:

• Nonrecurring faculty and staff bonuses;
• Nonrecurring expenditures for educational equipment and materials; or
• Temporary personnel to assist in maintaining or improving student performance.

If school staff and the school advisory council cannot reach agreement by November 1, 2007, the awards must be equally distributed to all classroom teachers currently teaching in the school.

The final school recognition list for 2007 includes 1,613 schools and $129,385,669 in awards. School recognition awards will be distributed in late September 2007.

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