HEA 1028 Summary

• Defines "adult high school" as a charter school with a majority of students who have already graduated from a prior cohort or are over 18 years old at initial enrollment, effective July 1, 2014.

• Repeals the prohibition on charter schools serving students 20 years or older who dropped out of high school, with an exception allowing the mayor of Indianapolis to authorize up to three Christel House Academies before July 1, 2013.

• Restricts authorization of new adult high schools to the charter board only after July 1, 2014, but allows the mayor of Indianapolis to renew previously authorized adult high school charters.

• Requires adult high school charters to include flexible scheduling, in-person instruction (not majority online), dual credit or industry certification courses aligned with career pathways, and plans to support student completion and workforce transition.

• Establishes an alternative accountability system for adult high schools measuring academic outcomes, college and career readiness, post-graduation success, and industry certification attainment, while limiting state funding eligibility with exceptions for certain existing schools through 2015.