Recognizing Achievement in Classified School Employees Act

Summary: Recognizing Achievement in Classified School Employees Act This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to grant "Recognizing Inspiring School Employees" awards to classified public school employees, within certain occupational specialties, who provide exemplary service to students in prekindergarten through higher education. ED must annually select an awardee, out of nominations received from states, from any of the following occupational specialties: (1) paraeducator services, (2) clerical and administrative services, (3) transportation services, (4) food and nutrition services, (5) custodial and maintenance services, (6) security services, (7) health and student services, (8) technical services, and (9) skilled trades.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Recognizing Achievement in 
Classified School Employees Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Classified school employees provide valuable service to 
        public schools in the United States.
            (2) Classified school employees provide essential services, 
        such as transportation, facilities maintenance and operations, 
        food service, safety, and health care.
            (3) Classified school employees play a vital role in 
        providing for the welfare and safety of students.
            (4) Classified school employees strive for excellence in 
        all areas of service to the education community.
            (5) Exemplary classified school employees should be 
        recognized for their outstanding contributions to quality 
        education in the United States.

SEC. 3. DEFINITION OF CLASSIFIED SCHOOL EMPLOYEE.

    In this Act:
            (1) Classified school employee.--The term ``classified 
        school employee'' means a public employee of a State or of any 
        political subdivision of a State, who works in any grade from 
        prekindergarten through higher education in any of the 
        following occupational specialties:
                    (A) Paraeducator services.
                    (B) Clerical and administrative services.
                    (C) Transportation services.
                    (D) Food and nutrition services.
                    (E) Custodial and maintenance services.
                    (F) Security services.
                    (G) Health and student services.
                    (H) Technical services.
                    (I) Skilled trades.
            (2) Other definitions.--The terms used in this Act have the 
        meaning given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

SEC. 4. RECOGNITION PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Education shall establish a 
national recognition program to be known as the ``Recognizing Inspiring 
School Employees Award Program'' or the ``award program''. The purpose 
of the award program shall be to recognize and promote the commitment 
and excellence exhibited by classified school employees in public 
schools who provide exemplary service to students in prekindergarten 
through higher education.
    (b) Award.--Prior to March 31 of each year (beginning with the 
second calendar year that begins after the date of the enactment of 
this Act), the award program shall recommend to the Secretary a 
classified school employee to receive the Recognizing Inspiring School 
Employees Award for the year.
    (c) Selection Process.--
            (1) Nomination process.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than November 1 of each 
                year (beginning with the first calendar year that 
                begins after the date of the enactment of this Act), 
                the Secretary shall solicit nominations of classified 
                school employees in public schools from the 
                occupational specialties described in section 3(1) from 
                the chief State school officer of each State.
                    (B) Nomination submissions.--In order for 
                individuals in a State to be eligible to receive 
                recognition under this section, the chief State school 
                officer shall consider nominations submitted by the 
                following:
                            (i) Local educational agencies.
                            (ii) School administrators.
                            (iii) Professional associations.
                            (iv) Labor organizations.
                            (v) Educational service agencies.
                            (vi) Any other group determined appropriate 
                        by the award program.
            (2) Demonstration.--Each chief State school officer of a 
        State who desires individuals in the State to receive 
        recognition under this section shall submit the nominations 
        described in paragraph (1) to the Secretary in such manner as 
        may be required by the award program. Each such nomination 
        shall contain, at a minimum, demonstrations of excellence in 
        the following areas:
                    (A) Work performance.
                    (B) School and community involvement.
                    (C) Leadership and commitment.
                    (D) Local support.
                    (E) Enhancement of classified school employees' 
                image in the community and schools.
                    (F) Any other area of superior performance, such as 
                health and safety promotion or efficient use of energy 
                or other resources.
            (3) Selection.--The award program shall develop uniform 
        national guidelines for evaluating nominations submitted under 
        paragraph (2) in order to select the most deserving nominees 
        based on the demonstrations made in the areas described in such 
        paragraph.