SB 331 Summary

• Establishes a five-year pilot program for internal public charter schools beginning in the 2016-2017 school year and ending with the 2020-2021 school year, unless extended by the Legislature.

• Allows each local school board in the state to select one school within its jurisdiction to operate as an internal public charter school with the same flexibility and rules as regular charter schools, except no charter contract with an authorizer is required.

• Requires internal public charter schools to annually report to the State Department of Education on student achievement, student growth for newly enrolled and continuing students, and other information as determined necessary by the department.

• Mandates the State Department of Education to compile comprehensive reports from all participating internal public charter schools and submit them to the Alabama Public Charter School Commission before December 15 each year.

• Requires the Alabama Public Charter School Commission to issue an annual report on the pilot program's progress to the Legislature and Governor on or before the tenth legislative day of the regular session.