HF2714 Summary

• Requires charter school board members to complete department-approved training on governance, employment policies, and financial management within 12 months of being seated or become ineligible to serve.

• Establishes mandatory performance standards for charter school renewal: schools must have at least 35 percent of tested students demonstrate proficiency in state reading and mathematics assessments, or meet statewide average growth targets, unless serving only at-risk students or 50 percent or more students with disabilities.

• Allows charter schools to employ unlicensed teachers for five years if they meet specific academic performance benchmarks, or to use blended learning models combining in-person and digital instruction.

• Requires commissioner to terminate charter school contracts if schools fail to meet performance standards for three consecutive years, with limited exceptions for specialized populations.

• Provides $200,000 in preoperational start-up aid to eligible charter schools upon authorizer approval and modifies aid payment schedules for charter schools in their first three years of operation.