Highlights of school empowerment plans

Tuesday, March 27, 2007 | 1:23 a.m.

Here are key elements of Nevada's rival school empowerment plans:

SPENDING: The governor's plan takes $60 million from a teacher-incentive program to give extra money for the empowerment schools. The Democratic plan keeps those teacher incentives in place, and allows schools to use their existing resources.

CHARTER SCHOOLS - The Democratic plan specifically says charter schools may become empowerment schools; the governor's proposal doesn't mention charter schools.

SCHOOL CHOICE - The governor's plan would allow any student in the district to apply to an empowerment school. The Democratic plan allows any student who lives within two miles of the school to apply.

PROGRAM SIZE - The Democratic program mandates that at least 5 percent of schools in Clark and Washoe counties - that's 16 schools in Clark County, and 5 in Washoe - become empowerment schools within two years. The governor's program provides funding for 100 schools.

DESIGN TEAMS - The governor's empowerment plan has two design teams, one at the school level, and one at the district level. The plan gives school superintendants more input in how the program works. Under the Democratic plan, districts play a supporting role. They don't decide which schools will become empowerment schools or make other key decisions. Empowerment schools would be created by design teams that include school staff, parents, and community members.