Senate Bill 573 Summary

• Establishes the Public Charter School Commission effective July 1, 2014, composed of nine members appointed by the Governor with Senate consent, including business representatives, charter school administrators and teachers, and congressional district representatives

• Grants the Commission authority to authorize charter schools and select approving agents to authorize schools in qualifying school districts (those with 5,000+ average daily membership in counties with 500,000+ population, schools on improvement lists, or serving at-risk populations)

• Requires comprehensive charter school applications including mission, curriculum, staffing, facilities, financial plans, and performance frameworks; establishes 90-day review process with opportunity for revision and binding arbitration if denied

• Mandates five-year renewable charter contracts with performance-based accountability measures including student academic proficiency, growth, attendance, and financial sustainability; allows Commission to deny renewal or revoke charters for non-performance

• Provides charter schools funding equal to state aid generated by student enrollment (less 5% administrative fee split between Commission and applicant) and exempts them from most state education regulations while maintaining compliance with federal law, health/safety standards, and civil rights requirements