A bill to direct the Secretary of Education to establish and administer an awards program recognizing excellence exhibited by public school system employees providing services to students in pre-kindergarten through higher education.

Summary: Directs the Secretary of Education to award National Classified School Employees of the Year Awards to public school employees within certain occupational specialties who provide exemplary service to students in pre-kindergarten through higher education.

Requires the Secretary to choose an awardee each year, out of nominations received from each state, from each of the following occupational specialties: (1) paraprofessionals; (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. DEFINITIONS AND FINDINGS.

    (a) Definitions.--
            (1) Classified school employee.--In this Act, the term 
        ``classified school employee'' means an employee working in any 
        grade from pre-kindergarten through higher education, in any of 
        the following nine occupational specialities:
                    (A) Paraprofessionals.
                    (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 9101 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
    (b) Findings.--The Congress finds as follows:
            (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. 2. RECOGNITION PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Education shall establish and 
administer a national recognition program to be known as the ``National 
Classified School Employees of the Year Awards''. The purpose of the 
program shall be to recognize and promote the commitment and excellence 
exhibited by employees within certain occupational specialties in 
public schools who provide exemplary service to students in pre-
kindergarten through higher education.
    (b) Occupational Specialties.--
            (1) In general.--The occupational specialties referred to 
        in subsection (a) are the following:
                    (A) Paraprofessionals.
                    (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) Number of awards.--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 Secretary shall select 
        an employee from each occupational specialty described in 
        paragraph (1) to receive an award under the recognition 
        program.
    (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 from each 
                occupational specialty described in subsection (b)(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 of the State shall consider nominations 
                submitted by the following:
                            (i) Local educational agencies.
                            (ii) School administrators.
                            (iii) Professional associations.
                            (iv) Labor unions.
                            (v) Any other group determined appropriate 
                        by the Secretary.
            (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 
        the Secretary may require. 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 Secretary 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.