Signed by Governor Rick Scott

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends requirements for charter schools.

Highlights:

• Requires charter schools to disclose the following information (Sec. 1):
• The name of each applicant, governing board member, and all proposed education services providers;
• The name and sponsor of any charter school operated by each applicant, each governing board member, and each proposed education services provider that has closed and the reasons for the closure; and
• The academic and financial history of such charter schools.

• Requires each charter school’s governing board to appoint a representative to facilitate parental involvement, provide access to information, and resolve disputes (Sec. 1).

• Requires each charter school’s governing board to hold at least 2 public meetings per school year in the district where the charter school is located (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a charter school to use any unrestricted surplus or unrestricted net assets identified in the charter school’s annual audit for K-12 educational purposes (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes open enrollment in a charter school that has not reached capacity to any student in the state (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes an entity that is designated as a High Impact Charter Network to submit an application to establish and operate charter schools in critical need areas (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes a charter school operated by a High Impact Charter Network in a critical need area to receive charter school capital outlay (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes the Florida Department of Education to give priority to new charter schools operated by a High Impact Charter Network in the Public Charter School Grant and Program competitions (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends requirements for charter schools.

Highlights:

• Requires charter schools to disclose the following information (Sec. 1):
• The name of each applicant, governing board member, and all proposed education services providers;
• The name and sponsor of any charter school operated by each applicant, each governing board member, and each proposed education services provider that has closed and the reasons for the closure; and
• The academic and financial history of such charter schools.

• Requires each charter school’s governing board to appoint a representative to facilitate parental involvement, provide access to information, and resolve disputes (Sec. 1).

• Requires each charter school’s governing board to hold at least 2 public meetings per school year in the district where the charter school is located (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes a charter school to use any unrestricted surplus or unrestricted net assets identified in the charter school’s annual audit for K-12 educational purposes (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes open enrollment in a charter school that has not reached capacity to any student in the state (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes an entity that is designated as a High Impact Charter Network to submit an application to establish and operate charter schools in critical need areas (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes a charter school operated by a High Impact Charter Network in a critical need area to receive charter school capital outlay (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes the Florida Department of Education to give priority to new charter schools operated by a High Impact Charter Network in the Public Charter School Grant and Program competitions (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text