HB 1267 - Charter Schools Summary

• Requires sponsors and charter schools to use uniform model contracts developed by the Department of Education for charter agreements.

• Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to allow school districts in educationally disadvantaged areas with multiple school districts to apply for charter school status.

• Makes student academic achievement a priority factor in determining charter school renewals and terminations.

• Permits charter schools to provide virtual instruction without school district approval and allows teachers to take online professional development courses aligned with school curriculum.

• Requires federal education funding to be paid directly to charter schools and mandates the Legislature annually fund charter school allocations from the Florida Education Finance Program.