[complete report]

LAW

Year Passed

1995; last amended in 2009.

Rank

15th strongest of the nation's 40 charter laws.

Grade

C

GENERAL DATA

• Five different categories of schools complicate the application process and results in inequity

• Charter school leaders complain of highly regulatory oversight

• Bright spot New Orleans has a 60 percent market share, but other districts still fight charters

MULTIPLE AUTHORIZERS - YES (2)

Approval

School boards and State Board of Education. The state charters directly in the State Recovery District (RSD - Type 5), which currently includes New Orleans and segments of Baton Rouge.

Appeal

Yes. Applications denied by the school board may be appealed to the State Board of Education. If application is approved, the state board becomes the sponsor. (Type 2

NUMBER OF SCHOOLS ALLOWED

Cap

No cap (As of July 2009)

OPERATIONAL AUTONOMY

State

Yes. There is a blanket waiver, however, exceptions are specified in the law. Specific rules for each of the five types of charter school, so autonomy varies. Virtual schools not permitted. Management contracts with ESPs are not restricted.

Local

Limited. Charter schools in some districts experience heavier regulation. Charter schools (except Type 2) are not LEAs for the purpose of funding or special education.

Teacher Freedom

Yes in the Recovery District. Teachers may organize as a separate bargaining unit. No for all other types. Teachers are covered by district bargaining agreement, unless exemption is negotiated with sponsor and specified in charter. Charter schools must participate in the state's retirement system.

EQUITY

Student Funding

• Law was changed in 2008 to give Type 2 charters state funding, and also a share of local sales and property taxes.

• For schools authorized by local boards, funds pass through district. For schools authorized by state, funds pass through state.

• Average per pupil revenue - $6,531

"Except as otherwise provided by this Subsection, for the purpose of funding, a Type 1, Type 3, and Type 4 charter school shall be considered an approved public school of the local school board entering into the charter agreement and shall receive a per pupil amount each year from the local school board based on the October first membership count of the charter school. Except as otherwise provided by this Subsection, Type 2 charter schools shall receive a per pupil amount each year from the state Department of Education using state funds specifically provided for this purpose." [La. R.S. § 17:3995]

Facilities Funding

None.