For profit language
- Include in “definitions”:
Governing body – means the organized group of persons who will operate a public charter school by deciding matters, including, but not limited to, budgeting, curriculum and other operating procedures for the public charter school and by overseeing management and administration of a public charter school. - Include in “creation of a charter school” or related section:
Upon approval of a charter application, the sponsor shall authorize a governing body to operate the public charter school. A public charter school shall be operated by a not-for-profit organization with exemption from federal taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, codified in 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3). No charter shall be granted to a for-profit corporation. - Include in “charter school powers” or related section:
A public charter school may conduct activities necessary and appropriate to carry out its
responsibilities such as:
(1) Contract for services, except for the management or operation of the charter school by a forprofit entity;
Track record of success
- The request for proposals shall require background information on the proposed founding governing board members and management team and, if identified, the proposed school leadership. The background information shall include annual student achievement data, disaggregated by subgroup, for every school under the current or prior management of any board member(s) and leadership team members and evidence of a record of sustained, significant academic success, including significant gains in student achievement in an underperforming school or evidence that the applicant has consistently improved levels of proficiency as measured on relevant state achievement tests.
- In deciding whether to approve charter applications, authorizers shall: (A) Grant charters only to applicants that have demonstrated competence in each element of the authorizer’s published approval criteria and that have provided clear evidence that the management or leadership team of the proposed charter school has demonstrated significant academic success, including sustained, significant gains in student achievement in an underperforming school, or that it has consistently improved levels of proficiency as measured on relevant state achievement tests.
- Note: Educators (teachers, administrators, etc.) who have demonstrated success in educating children well would meet this qualification, including those who have worked only in traditional schools. This language would in no way limit charters to those who have run a charter school.
Virtual Charter School Language
- Include in “Creation of a Charter School” or related section: No cyber-based public charter school may be authorized.
