ID H0512

Allows public charter schools to weight their admission lottery to give preference to educationally disadvantaged students, including those living at or below 185% of the federal poverty level, homeless or foster care students, children with disabilities, students with limited English proficiency, and at-risk students.

Applies lottery weighting authority to both initial admissions for new or replication charter schools and subsequent year admissions when capacity is insufficient.

Permits charter schools to include children of full-time employees in the first priority group for initial admissions and second priority group for subsequent admissions, subject to existing limitations.

Maintains existing admission preference hierarchy including founders' children (limited to 10% of capacity), siblings of enrolled students, transfers from other Idaho charter schools, and students within the primary attendance area.

Requires charter schools to state lottery weighting provisions in their petition to implement such preferences.