SB 370 Summary

• Creates a scholarship program allowing resident pupils of unaccredited school districts to attend accredited nonpublic schools, virtual schools, charter schools, or accredited public school districts in the same or adjoining county.

• Scholarship amount varies by district type: metropolitan/urban districts over 350,000 population receive the lesser of actual cost or two-thirds of their home district's per pupil expenditure; all other districts receive the lesser of receiving school's per pupil expenditure or home district's per pupil expenditure.

• Requires parents to notify their home district and state education department by January 15th for the following school year; allows late enrollment with "good cause" including residence changes, custody proceedings, foster care placement, health/safety concerns, and bullying.

• Establishes transportation coordination by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, with parents allowed to transport students without reimbursement or districts may voluntarily provide transportation.

• Transfers continue until the unaccredited district achieves accredited status for five consecutive years; students already enrolled may continue through grade completion even after district reaccreditation.