1Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
2conduct a study of alternative methods of authorizing charter
3schools and regional charter schools.

4WHEREAS, Article XVII-A of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, 
5No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is 
6Pennsylvania's "Charter School Law"; and

7WHEREAS, One of the goals of Article XVII-A of the Public
8School Code is to ensure accountability for and the
9establishment of high-performing, high-quality charter schools
10and regional charter schools throughout this Commonwealth; and

11WHEREAS, In order to further accomplish that goal,
12alternative methods to authorize charter schools and regional
13charter schools have been identified; and

14WHEREAS, These alternative methods include higher education
15authorizers, Statewide authorizers and multiple charter
16organizations; therefore be it

17RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
18be directed to conduct a study relating to the practicability,

1feasibility and cost effectiveness of alternative methods of
2authorizing charter schools and regional charter schools; and be
3it further

4RESOLVED, That this study include:

5(1) A detailed analysis of whether each of these
6alternative methods would produce high-performing, high-
7quality charter schools and regional charter schools, both in
8this Commonwealth and in other states that already implement
9these alternative methods.

10(2) A review of the appropriate processes and procedures
11needed to effectively implement these alternative methods in
12this Commonwealth, including appropriate measures for
13oversight and accountability.

14(3) The impact these alternative methods would have on
15the ability of local boards of school directors to
16effectively authorize charter schools and regional charter
17schools and potential solutions to minimize the impact.

18(4) The development of a pilot program to allow
19institutions of higher education that are domiciled and
20headquartered with their principal physical location in this
21Commonwealth to authorize charter schools and regional
22charter schools in this Commonwealth.

23(5) A review of the charter school authorizer laws in
24operation throughout the United States.

25(6) Cost impact and fiscal analysis of the development
26and use of each of these alternative methods.

27(7) Appropriate assessment of fees on charter school
28entities for potentially funding a higher education
29authorizer, including review of independent authorizer fees
30and structures throughout the United States;

1and be it further

2RESOLVED, That in compiling this report the Legislative
3Budget and Finance Committee seek input from the Department of
4Education, the State Board of Education, charter school
5operators, school district personnel, representatives of
6institutions of higher education within this Commonwealth and
7any other groups, organizations, associations or individuals who
8may have information relevant to this study; and be it further

9RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
10report its findings and recommendations to the Senate no later
11than November 30, 2014.