Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes public charter schools, effective July 1, 2013.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Independent State Public Charter School Commission for the purpose of approving "authorizers" of public charter schools throughout the state (Sec. 4).

• Defines an “authorizer” as an entity authorized to review proposals, determine whether to approve proposals for entering into a charter contract, enter into charter contracts with applicants, oversee public charter schools, and determine whether to renew or revoke charter contracts (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes the following entities to apply to the Independent State Public Charter School Commission for chartering authority (Sec. 5):
• Local school boards may register within the boundaries of the school district overseen by the school board; and
• Governing bodies of accredited public or private postsecondary institutions may apply for statewide, regional, or local chartering authority.

• Prohibits nonpublic sectarian or religious organizations and any other charitable organizations from registering as chartering authorizers (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that public charter schools will receive funding on a per-student basis that is equal to the average per-student spending of the local school district (Sec. 15).

• Specifies that a charter school authorizer is responsible for cetain powers and duties including the following, but not limited to (Sec. 6):
• The solicitation and evaluation of charter proposals;
• The approval of charter proposals that meet educational needs and promote a range of education choices;
• The monitoring of, in accordance with charter contract terms, the performance and legal compliance of public charter schools; and
• The determination of whether each charter contract merits renewal or revocation.

• Specifies that public charter schools are not subject to the provisions of any state or local rule, regulation, policy, or procedure relating to non-charter public schools, except for the federal and state accountability requirements (Secs. 10 & 14).

• Requires public charter schools to be open to any student residing in the state and to select students through a lottery if capacity is insufficient to enroll all students who wish to attend (Sec. 11).

Full Bill Text