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LAW |
|
Year Passed |
1994; last amended in 2007.
|
|
Rank |
5th weakest of the nation's 40 charter laws. |
|
Grade |
D |
|
GENERAL DATA |
|
|
• Hawaii charter schools struggle to open and have few freedoms
• Inequitable funding and no guarantee of annual support
• No renewal process or accountability plan addressed in the law |
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MULTIPLE AUTHORIZERS - NO |
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Approval |
Charter School Review Panel, whose members are appointed by the State Board of Education. This is not an independent authorizer, but a state board. |
|
Appeal |
Yes. Applications denied by the Charter School Review Panel may be appealed to the State Board of Education. |
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NUMBER OF SCHOOLS ALLOWED |
|
Cap |
Yes. 23 new starts and 25 conversions. One new school may be authorized for every new start that either has its charter revoked or has been accredited for three years or longer by an education accreditation authority. |
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OPERATIONAL AUTONOMY |
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State |
Yes. Blanket waiver from most state rules and regulations. Virtual schools are allowed. Management contracts with ESPs restricted to nonprofits. |
|
Local |
Limited. The school board is responsible for the finances, operations, academics, and management of the school. |
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Teacher Freedom |
No. Teachers remain covered by district bargaining agreement. Charter schools must participate in state's retirement system. |
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EQUITY |
|
Student Funding |
• Per pupil funding averages are set year to year.
• Charter funding appropriations made a year in advance, and if enrollment exceeds expectations, charter schools will lose money.
• Funds pass through the state.
• Average per pupil revenue - $5,750
"Beginning with fiscal year 2006-2007, and each fiscal year thereafter, the office shall submit a request for general fund appropriations for each charter school based upon: (1) The actual and projected enrollment figures in the current school year for each charter school; (2) A per-pupil amount for each regular education and special education student, which shall be equivalent to the total per-pupil cost based upon average enrollment in all regular education cost categories, including comprehensive school support services but excluding special education services, and
for all means of financing except federal funds, as reported in the most recently-approved executive budget recommendations for the department." [HRS § 302B-12] |
|
Facilities Funding |
None. |
