HB3769 Summary

• Allows public and private institutions of higher education that grant 2 or 4-year degrees to apply to the State Board of Education to become authorized operators of one high-quality "opportunity school" each, prioritizing re-enrolled high school dropouts, at-risk students, and opportunity students.

• Requires university authorizer applicants to submit detailed plans including their mission alignment, organizational capacity, application review process, oversight procedures, contract renewal/termination processes, and written support from institutional leadership.

• Establishes State Board approval process with 45-day initial review timeline; denials require written notice of deficiencies, with applicants able to resubmit revised applications within 30 business days for a final 30-business-day decision.

• Permits university authorizers to charge opportunity schools a fee not exceeding 3% of school revenue for administrative oversight costs and allows existing alternative charter schools meeting opportunity school definitions to transfer to university authorizers in their final contract year.

• Ensures university-authorized opportunity schools receive funding equal to 100% of the host school district's per capita student tuition for resident students, with direct State Board payments for special education and categorical aid, and allows enrollment from students within 50 miles of the school.