A Curriculum to Promote High-Performing Courts

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

The National Center For State Courts (NCSC) will develop a set of organizational requirements for state courts to attain certification as High Performing Courts. A High Performing Court is one that has fully-integrated services for the public, the ability to address internal conflicts, and a set of management tools that enables it to attain and sustain a high level of effectiveness and efficiency. The goal of the project is for NCSC to develop a credentialing or accreditation program for courts. An independent body will set the criteria and assess whether a court is high performing (it may certify the processes or certify the outcomes). NCSC will develop a set of court organizational requirements built around the framework of high-performing courts and a curriculum that will help courts attain certification as high performing courts. The curriculum will teach court administrators and managers how to transform their courts into high performing courts, i.e. courts that operate as more efficient, transparent, and accountable organizations.

NCA/NCF