(a) A school district shall submit its school of innovation application, approved by the school district board of directors, to the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education for approval to become a school of innovation.
(b) A school of innovation application shall address without limitation:
(1) The goals and performance targets for the school of innovation, which may include without limitation:
(A) Reducing the achievement gap among one (1) or more groups of students by accelerating learning experiences for academically low-achieving students while increasing all student learning through the implementation of highly rigorous standards for student performance;
(B) Increasing student participation in curriculum options;
(C) Exploring new avenues for expanding students' college and career readiness;
(D) Motivating students by exploring innovative teaching and learning choices; and
(E) Transforming a school's culture and climate in a manner that will lead to transformative teaching and learning;
(2) Changes needed in the school that will lead to students who are better prepared for success in life and career; and
(3) Innovative practices to be used in the school of innovation.
(c) Schools of innovation shall document:
(1) Parental, school employee, and community engagement;
(2) The capacity for the proposed school of innovation;
(3) The rationale for law, rule, and local policy exception requests;
(4) Progress toward goals and performance targets; and
(5) Other information requested by the commissioner.