Relates to charter schools and the designation of receivers for under-performing schools

Section 2 of the bill would require charter schools to hold regular meetings.

Section 3 of the bill would require charter schools to establish standards for the public disclosure of any conflicts of interest that are brought before the charter school's board of trustees.

Section 4 of the bill would clarify that the commencement of the 5-year charter is when classroom instruction begins.

Section 5 of the bill would require charter schools to demonstrate the efforts taken to include high-need students in their schools.

Section 6 of the bill would clarify that the Regents should incorporate the charter school as an education corporation and that the commencement of the 5year charter is when classroom instruction begins.

Section 7 of the bill is intentionally omitted.

Section 8 of the bill would require charter schools to maintain the same ethical standards as school districts.

Section 9 of the bill would require charter schools to provide expanded learning opportunities for students with disabilities or English language learners (ELLs).

Section 10 of 1he bill would require the chartering entitles to post charter school annual reports on their web sites and would require charter schools to make their reports publicly available.

Section 11 of the bill would require the publication of charter schools closed in a preceding year that includes a description of the reasons for closure.

Section 12 of the bill would require the Regents to make available the best practices employed by charter schools.

Section 13 of the bill would authorize schools using proven, not-far-profit education management organizations (EMOs) to directly manage schools to help raise the achievement of high needs students.

Section 14 of the bill would provide for severability.

Section 15 of the bill would have the enactment take effect immediately.

Existing law

Currently the State Is nearing the cap of 200 new charter schools.

Statement in support

These amendments to the Education law will Improve the State's chances for success in the federal government Race to the Top (RTTT) competition. The United States Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan has made it clear that the competition will be intense. It is imperative that New York State take any and all actions necessary to strengthen our application.

Approximately 8% of the RTTT application's total points are tied to charter schools. While New York charter schools remain among the best in the nation, the State will lose points in this category because of our cap. Maximum· points are provided to schools with no cap or a "high" cap. A high cap is defined as exceeding 10% of the total number of public schools in the State. The State Education Department estimates there are 4,540 public schools in New York Stat~. A cap of 460 will meet the 10% threshold.

The bill also strengthens our application by authorizing Educational Management Organizations (EMOs) to directly manage schools. School districts would be authorized to enter into contracts with approved EMOs for the purpose of managing individual schools within the district in order to turn around the persistently lowest achieving schools. EMOs will be non-profit entities authorized and selected through a rigorous process focused on proved success in raising the achievement of high needs students.

The bill will also increase transparency and accountability of charter schools, ensure that they provide expanded learning opportunities for students with disabilities or English language learners (ELLs), and maintain the same ethical standards and requirements as public schools.

Budget implications

There is no cost to the state to enact the provisions of this bill. Furthermore, the bill's enactment could provide New York enough points In the RTTT to secure up to $700 million in direct federal aid to education.

Effective date

This bill would take effect immediately upon enactment.