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LAW |
|
Year Passed |
1995; last amended in 2007.
|
|
Rank |
10th weakest of the nation's 40 charter laws. |
|
Grade |
D |
|
GENERAL DATA |
|
|
• Two-tier approval system has made growth difficult in state
• Equitable funding not guaranteed
• Number of schools allowed very low |
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MULTIPLE AUTHORIZERS - NO |
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Approval |
State Board of Education, with school board's approval. |
|
Appeal |
No binding appeal. However, if the school board rejects the application, the charter may continue the process with a written notice of appeal to the state board. |
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NUMBER OF SCHOOLS ALLOWED |
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Cap |
Yes. 24 new starts. Only one campus per charter contract is allowed, except for KIPP and similar schools that have demonstrated success in student achievement gains (and meet other criteria outlined in law), which may apply directly to the state board for additional licenses to open other schools after receiving initial charter. Unlimited conversion schools. |
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OPERATIONAL AUTONOMY |
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State |
No. Waiver requests considered on a case-by-case basis. The State Board of Education establishes rules and regulations that are not in law. Virtual schools are allowed, although there is a cap on enrollment. Only nonprofit ESPs are permitted to manage. |
|
Local |
No. Charters are regulated heavily by the school board. |
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Teacher Freedom |
Yes for new starts. Teachers may negotiate as a separate bargaining unit, or work independently. No for conversions. Teachers remain covered by district bargaining agreement, but may request a waiver from certain provisions. Charter schools must participate in state's retirement system. |
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EQUITY |
|
Student Funding |
• Funding determined separately in annual state appropriations
• For new starts, funds pass through the state and for conversion schools, funds pass through the district.
• Average per pupil revenue - $8,552
"An open-enrollment public charter school shall receive funds equal to the amount that a public school would receive under § 6-20-2305(a) and (b) as well as any other funding that a public charter school is entitled to receive under law or pursuant to rules promulgated by the State Board of Education. (2) Funding for an open-enrollment public charter school shall be based upon the current year three-quarter average daily membership of the open-enrollment public charter school as follows: (A) The initial funding estimate for each school year
shall be based on enrollment as of July 30 preceding the school year in which the students are to attend; (B) In December, funding will be adjusted based on the first-quarter average daily membership. (b) An open-enrollment public charter school may receive any state and federal aids, grants, and revenue as may be provided by law." [A.C.A. 6-23-501(et al)] |
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Facilities Funding |
None. |
