Sag Harbor - New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) announced that Governor Andrew M. Cuomo launched the School District Performance Improvement Awards program which is designed to transform New York State's education system by incentivizing student achievement and encouraging school districts to implement innovative reforms to improve student performance.

The performance awards will be granted to school districts in the state that have demonstrated the most success in increasing student performance, narrowing the achievement gap, and increasing academic performance among students with the greatest educational needs. The awards will also be available to school districts that exhibit the greatest potential for continued improvements in student performance. Up to $75 million in grants will be distributed over the next three years, with additional awards to be distributed in future years.

Grants will be awarded pursuant to a competitive process and applications will be reviewed and scored by a peer review panel. School districts will be graded based on increases in student performance and success in implementing innovative programs to increase student performance including, models to improve and expand middle school student performance, college level or early college programs, college admission, and career and technical education training programs.

School districts must submit applications to the State Education Department by January 17, 2012, and the first round of awards will be announced and awarded during the 2011-2012 school year.

New York's public schools spend more money per pupil than those in any other state. Yet, in measures of student performance, New York ranks 40th nationally in graduation rates and 34th nationally in the percentage of adults who have a high school diploma or the equivalent.

"This new program will provide schools, teachers, and students the tools and assistance they need to ensure the true potential of the school district is realized," said Assemblyman Thiele, a member of the Assembly Education Committee.