WI AB818

Creates a "demonstration public school operator" designation for independent charter schools authorized by the Office of Educational Opportunity (OEO) director, providing an additional $6,863 per pupil payment on top of the standard $12,369 per pupil amount beginning in the 2026-27 school year

Requires designated operators to meet seven criteria for each charter school: disseminate best practices, provide professional development, participate in longitudinal studies, evaluate educational model effectiveness, track student progress after matriculation, maintain community partnerships, and enter evaluation agreements with the Wisconsin Center for Educational Research and Wisconsin Evaluation Collaborative

Limits designation terms to a maximum of 5 school years beginning July 1, with renewals allowed, and requires the OEO director to respond to designation requests within 30 days

Mandates designated operators submit annual comprehensive reports to DPI, Joint Committee on Finance, and legislative education committees including audited financials, longitudinal study findings, pupil achievement data, enrollment demographics, and staff retention information

Excludes the additional per pupil payment from calculations used to reduce state aid to school districts for independent charter school payments