CS/CS/CS/HB 1569 - Charter Schools Summary

• Allows high-performing charter schools (those with A or B grades for 3 consecutive years and unqualified audit opinions) to increase enrollment up to 25 percent annually and receive capital outlay funds.

• Permits high-performing education service providers operating at least two successful charter schools to establish new charter schools with 15-year initial charters and automatic high-performing designation.

• Changes financial reporting requirements for high-performing charter schools from monthly to quarterly statements to their sponsors.

• Extends employment protections to instructional personnel, school administrators, and educational support employees (not just teachers) who desire charter school employment, prohibiting school districts from requiring resignations.

• Establishes charter schools-in-the-workplace and charter schools-in-a-municipality with enrollment preferences for employees' children and residents, and makes them eligible for capital outlay funding if requirements are met.

• Directs the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to study charter school versus traditional public school funding and submit recommendations to state leadership by January 1, 2011.