HB 2019 - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

     Declares that a public charter school is a public school including one or more of grades kindergarten through twelve, operated by a nonprofit entity, according to the terms of a renewable five-year agreement granted by a sponsor or the superintendent of public instruction.

     Declares that a charter school shall operate independently of any school district board and is exempt from all state statutes and rules relating to school districts except as provided in this chapter and in the school's approved charter.

     Provides all approved charter schools shall:  (1) Comply with state and federal health, safety, and civil rights laws and rules applicable to school districts;

     (2) meet or exceed the student performance and assessment standards as established for students in other public schools;

     (3) participate in nationally normed standardized achievement tests as required in RCW 28A.230.190, 28A.230.230, and 28A.230.240;

     (4) seventy-five percent of instructional staff must be certificated in accordance with chapter 28A.410 RCW;

     (5) comply with the employee record check requirements in RCW 28A.400.303;

     (6) be subject to the same financial and audit requirements as a school district; and

     (7) report at least annually to its sponsor and to parents of children enrolled at the charter school on progress toward the student performance goals specified in the charter.

     Directs the superintendent of public instruction to separately calculate and allocate to charter schools moneys appropriated for basic education under RCW 28A.150.260.