Participating

schools must undergo a series of rigorous examinations by

a PfP reader panel. Members of the reader panel are

exemplary educators recommended by local school system

superintendents. The final composition of the panel is

representative of school systems in the state.

In March,

applicant schools submit initial applications that

provide a detailed description of the school as well as

what the school will do to promote exemplary performance.

Initial applications must contain weighted performance

objectives that address academic achievement (40 percent

to 70 percent), client involvement (10 percent to 40

percent) and resource development (10 percent to 40

percent). Each performance objective must include a

thorough description of how it will be achieved and

evaluated.

In order

for a school to be approved for participation,

performance objectives in the proposal must be judged to

be exemplary. The PfP guidelines state that a school can

demonstrate exemplary performance in one of two ways:

� School productivity

is clearly exemplary based on its program mission, the

students being served and measurable outcomes.

� The school is making significant

progress improving its productivity so that the school is

exemplary in its demonstrated improvement.