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).