The Act provides that local school systems shall create a strategic plan regarding the future of the school system. The Act further allows local school systems to enter into a five-year contract with the State Board of Education whereby the school is given additional flexibility by being granted a waiver from agreed upon requirements in exchange for additional accountability in the form of an agreement to meet specified benchmarks of student performance. If the benchmarks are not met within a three year period, the Act provides for consequences to the local school system or the under-performing schools within the system.
