RI H7525

Charter schools may offer nontraditional, progressive, student-centric, and task-based approaches to learning that differ from mainstream education methods, and shall not focus on memorization or reading-only approaches

Rhode Island Department of Education must review all charter school applications proposing nontraditional approaches to ensure they provide a sufficient substitute for traditional education

When a charter school's charter is not renewed, its allocated seats must be reallocated to a school authorized to offer nontraditional approaches to learning

The state cap of 35 charter schools remains in place, with at least half reserved for applications designed to increase educational opportunities for at-risk pupils

Takes effect upon passage