CS/CS/HB 1197 - Charter Schools Summary

• Authorizes state universities and Florida College System institutions to solicit applications and sponsor charter schools to meet regional education and workforce demands, with Department of Education approval and the discretion to deny applications.

• Requires the board of trustees of sponsoring state universities or Florida College System institutions to serve as the local educational agency for their charter schools and prohibits their students from being counted in school district grade calculations.

• Revises charter school sponsor reporting requirements and establishes a sponsor evaluation framework addressing strategic vision, policy alignment, academic/financial performance, and school status.

• Changes charter school application deadlines from August 1 to February 1 for schools opening 18 months later, and provides specific funding calculations for charter schools sponsored by universities or Florida College System institutions, appropriated directly from state funds.

• Authorizes charter schools to offer career and professional academies as research-based programs integrating academic curriculum with industry-specific training aligned to workforce needs.