Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that appropriates public funds for charter schools effective July 1, 2015.

Highlights:

• Requires a school district to provide a charter school within the district funding equal to the remaining balance of funding necessary to meet the state allocation to the charter school, after the amount of state appropriations is deducted (Sec. 9). 

• Requires the Department of Revenue to calculate annually the amount of payments each school district is required to make to eligible charter schools using the certified taxable value and millage rate, no later than December 30 (Sec. 9).

• Requires school districts to make payments to charter schools by February 1 of each fiscal year, effective February 1, 2016 (Sec. 9). 

• Establishes the Florida Institute for Charter School Innovation within Florida State University (Sec. 7). 

• Requires the Florida Institute for Charter School Innovation to fulfill the following requirements (Sec. 7): 
• To provide technical assistance and support to charter school applicants and sponsors;
• To conduct research to inform both policy and practices related to charter school authorizing, accountability, and operations; and
• To partner with state-approved teacher preparation programs to provide opportunities for aspiring teachers to experience teaching in schools of choice. 

• Specifies that a charter school’s charter is terminated if the school earns 2 consecutive grades of “F” after all school grade appeals are final (Secs. 1 & 4). 

Full Bill Text