Signed by Governor Nathan Deal

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a State Charter School Commission to create and regulate charter schools.

Highlights:

• Establishes the State Charter Schools Commission as a state-level authorizing entity working in collaboration with the Department of Education under the authority of the State Board of Education (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the commission to approve or deny petitions for state charter schools and to renew, not renew, or terminate state charter school petitions (Sec. 1).

• Requires the commission to be made up of 3 appointees recommended by the Governor, 2 appointees recommended by the President of the Senate, and 2 appointees recommended by the Speaker of the House (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the commission to conduct facility and curriculum reviews of state charter schools (Sec. 1).

• Requires the commission to carry out various duties including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 1):
• Ensure charters for all state charter schools are consistent with the state’s education goals;
• Promote the best practices for state charter schools so that high-quality schools are developed and encouraged;
• Ensure that state charter schools participate in the state’s education accountability system;
• Annually evaluate the academic and financial progress of state charter schools;
• Direct state charter schools towards sources of private funding and support; and
• Assist state charter schools in negotiating with local school boards that choose to provide administrative or transportation services

• Requires that state charter schools be treated consistently with all other public schools in the state with regard to state funding and grants (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits the deduction of funding to a local school system due to the enrollment of students in a charter school located within the geographical area of that local school system (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a State Charter School Commission to create and regulate charter schools.

Highlights:

• Establishes the State Charter Schools Commission as a state-level authorizing entity working in collaboration with the Department of Education under the authority of the State Board of Education (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the commission to approve or deny petitions for state charter schools and to renew, not renew, or terminate state charter school petitions (Sec. 1).

• Requires the commission to be made up of 3 appointees recommended by the Governor, 2 appointees recommended by the President of the Senate, and 2 appointees recommended by the Speaker of the House (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the commission to conduct facility and curriculum reviews of state charter schools (Sec. 1).

• Requires the commission to carry out various duties including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 1):
• Ensure charters for all state charter schools are consistent with the state’s education goals;
• Promote the best practices for state charter schools so that high-quality schools are developed and encouraged;
• Ensure that state charter schools participate in the state’s education accountability system;
• Annually evaluate the academic and financial progress of state charter schools;
• Direct state charter schools towards sources of private funding and support; and
• Assist state charter schools in negotiating with local school boards that choose to provide administrative or transportation services

• Requires that state charter schools be treated consistently with all other public schools in the state with regard to state funding and grants (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits the deduction of funding to a local school system due to the enrollment of students in a charter school located within the geographical area of that local school system (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text