SB 5012 - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 1ST SUB)

Declares an intent to authorize the establishment of charter schools for the purpose of providing a unique setting for learning that will improve pupil achievement and provide additional public school choices for students, parents, and teachers.

Provides that the Washington institute for public policy shall study the implementation and effectiveness of this act. The institute shall make recommendations to the legislature about the effectiveness of charter schools and the impact of charter schools. The institute shall also recommend changes to this chapter including improvements that could be made to the application and approval process. A preliminary report of the study is due to the legislature by September 1, 2005, and a final report is due September 1, 2007.

Declares that the maximum number of charters that can be granted under this chapter is twenty in any given year commencing July 1, 2003, for the first four years. These annual allocations shall be cumulative so that if the maximum is not reached in any given year the maximum shall be increased accordingly for the successive years.