Conference report recommends the following changes to 6th edition to reconcile matters in controversy.
Deletes the provisions of the 6th edition and replaces it with AN ACT TO REMOVE THE CAP ON CHARTER SCHOOLS; TO ALLOW STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCRETION IN GRANTING FINAL APPROVAL OF CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATIONS; TO RAISE THE ENROLLMENT GROWTH CAP TO TWENTY PERCENT; TO PERMIT CHARTER SCHOOLS TO CHARGE FEES CHARGED BY THE LOCAL SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT; TO STRENGTHEN THE STANDARDS FOR RETAINING A CHARTER FOR A CHARTER SCHOOL; AND TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON CHARTER SCHOOLS.
Amends GS 115C-238.29D(a) to provide that the State Board of Education (SBE) may (was, shall) grant final approval of a charter school application if it finds that the application meets the specified requirements and achieves one or more of the purposes set out in GS 115C-238.29A.
Repeals GS 115C-238.29D(b), which effectively removes the cap on the number of charter schools allowed per local school administrative unit (LEA) and the total allowed statewide. Makes a conforming change to GS 115C-105.37B(a)(2).
Amends GS 115C-238.29D(d) to increase the enrollment growth cap for a charter school to 20% (was, 10%). Provides that the SBE may approve additional enrollment growth of greater than 20% (was, 10%) based on specified findings.
Amends GS 115C-238.29F(b) to make an exception that allows a charter school to charge any fees that are charged by the LEA in which the charter school is located.
Amends GS 115C-238.29G by adding a new subsection (a1) to direct the SBE (1) to adopt criteria for adequate performance by a charter school and (2) to identify charter schools with inadequate performance. Provides that the criteria include a requirement that a charter school that shows no growth in student performance and has annual performance composites below 60% for any two years out of a three-year period be identified as inadequate. Requires that a charter school deemed inadequate during its first five years of the charter develop a strategic plan to meet specific goals for student performance to be reviewed and approved by the SBE. Authorizes the SBE to terminate or not renew a charter for failure to show improvement under the strategic plan. Also authorizes the SBE to terminate or not renew a charter if the charter school has been identified as inadequate and has had a charter for more than five years.
Includes reporting requirements for the SBE, specifying submission of a preliminary report on the implementation of this act by May 10, 2012, and a final report by June 11, 2012.
Effective July 1, 2011.