A New Model Law for Supporting the Growth of High-Quality Charter Public Schools: Second Edition calls on state policymakers to strengthen the laws governing charter schools. In this revised version of the National Alliance's model charter school law, the policies outlined would increase the focus of state-level charter school laws on creating high-quality charter schools while holding underperforming schools and authorizers accountable.
This report draws on best practices in state policy that have led to the growth of high-quality charter schools, while also addressing weaknesses that, in some cases, have allowed underperforming charter schools and ineffective authorizers to avoid accountability. For example, the model law follows and builds on a report from earlier this year where the National Alliance called for reform of full-time virtual charter schools, too many of which significantly underperform.
The revised model law encourages states to provide more equitable support to charter school students, allow for more flexibility to charter schools, and strengthen accountability for charter schools and their authorizers. Specific revisions to the model law include policy updates on full-time virtual schools, funding, authorizers, facilities, flexibility, and discipline.
Click here for a one-page brief on the new model law.
