H247 Summary: Enhance Charter School Accountability

• Establishes the North Carolina Charter School Commission as an independent body with 13 members appointed by the Governor, General Assembly, and State Superintendent to oversee charter school applications, monitoring, and recommendations to the State Board of Education.

• Eliminates the cap on charter schools statewide and removes the five-school-per-local-unit limit, while prohibiting virtual charter schools with no physical facilities in the state.

• Requires enhanced accountability standards including mandatory charter nonrenewal for schools with performance composite below 60% for two years in any three-year period and discretionary nonrenewal for schools below 70% composite.

• Expands charter school application requirements to include detailed accountability plans, instructional design, diversity goals, transportation and nutrition plans, and startup timelines.

• Mandates charter schools provide free and reduced meals to students below 185% poverty level and withhold transportation funding unless schools provide transportation for low-income students.