(1)  The Legislature finds that there is a need for a performance incentive program for outstanding faculty and staff in highly productive schools. The Legislature further finds that performance-based incentives are commonplace in the private sector and should be infused into the public sector as a reward for productivity.

(2)  The Florida School Recognition Program is created to provide financial awards to faculty and staff of schools that sustain high performance or that demonstrate exemplary improvement due to innovation and effort. The Commissioner of Education shall establish statewide objective criteria for schools to be invited to apply for the Florida School Recognition Program. The selection of schools must be based on at least 2 school years of data, when available. To participate in the program, a school district must have incorporated a performance incentive program into its employee salary structure. All public schools, including charter schools, are eligible to participate in the program.

(a)  Initial criteria for identification of schools must rely on the school's data and statewide data and must include, but not be limited to:

1.  Improvement in the school's student achievement data.
2.  Statewide student achievement data.
3.  Readiness for postsecondary education data.
4.  Dropout rates.
5.  Attendance rates.

(b)  After a pool of eligible schools has been identified, schools must apply for final recognition and financial awards based on established criteria. Criteria must include, but not be limited to:

1.  School climate, including rates of school violence and crime.
2.  Indicators of innovation in teaching and learning.
3.  Indicators of successful challenging school improvement plans.
4.  Parent, community, and student involvement in learning.

(c)  After identification of schools for final recognition and financial awards, awards must be distributed based on employee performance criteria established in district school board policy.

(3)  All selected schools shall receive financial awards depending on the availability of funds appropriated and the number and size of schools selected to receive an award. Funds must be distributed to the school's fiscal agent and placed in the school's account and must be used as determined by the school's staff and school advisory council for bonuses to the faculty and staff or for educational equipment or materials for the school. Notwithstanding statutory provisions to the contrary, incentive awards are not subject to collective bargaining.