SB538 Summary

• Public school districts may petition the State Board of Education for waivers granted to open-enrollment public charter schools that draw students from their district, with decisions required within 90 days.

• Waivers granted to public school districts are valid for a duration approved by the state board but cannot exceed the duration of the charter school's waivers or five (5) years.

• Schools of innovation must submit an application (rather than a plan) to the Commissioner of Education, with the commissioner able to revoke designation if schools fail to fulfill their application objectives or comply with applicable laws.

• Schools of innovation must document parental, school employee, and community engagement; capacity; rationale for exceptions; progress toward goals; and other requested information.

• Open-enrollment public charter schools are prohibited from refusing to report through the Arkansas Public School Computer Network applications as provided under Title 6.