PRINTER'S NO. 2221
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1554
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY ROEBUCK, DONATUCCI, ULLMAN, ISAACSON, SCHLOSSBERG,
KORTZ, MILLARD, LONGIETTI, HILL-EVANS, McCLINTON, MARKOSEK,
DeLUCA, McNEILL AND MENTZER, JUNE 24, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JUNE 24, 2019
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in charter schools, providing for a
study by the State Board of Education of academic and
financial practices of charter schools.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 1704-A. Study of Charter School A cademic and
Financial Practices.--(a) The State Board of Education shall
conduct a comprehensive study outlining the best academic and
financial practices of high-performing charter schools currently
operating in this Commonwealth and the unsuccessful academic and
financial practices of low-performing charter schools currently
or previously operating in this Commonwealth. The study shall
include a detailed assessment of the following:
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(1) High-performing charter schools that have a proven
success record of providing improved opportunities to teachers,
parents, students and community members for establishing and
maintaining schools that operate independently from existing
school district structure, including how the schools
accomplished the following:
(i) improved student learning, including student growth
measures;
(ii) increased learning opportunities for all students,
including students with disabilities;
(iii) the use of different and innovative teaching methods;
(iv) new professional opportunities for teachers;
(v) expanded choices that improve the types of educational
opportunities that are available within the public school
system; and
(vi) met or exceeded measurable academic standards.
(2) Low-performing charter schools that continue to operate
or have closed and the lessons that can be learned from the
schools' academic or financial failures, including any fraud,
waste and mismanagement that occurred.
(b) The State Board of Education, in conducting the study,
shall give consideration to an examination of the factors
associated with high-performing and low-performing charter
schools, such as:
(1) the demographics of the students that the schools
educate;
(2) the schools' records of operating with integrity and any
conflicts of interest; and
(3) governance structure and local creation and oversight.
(c) The State Board of Education, based on the comprehensive
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assessment of high-performing and low-performing charter schools
conducted, shall identify policies, regulations and legislative
changes needed to improve the academic and learning success of
charter school students.
(d) The State Board of Education, no later than twelve (12)
months from the effective date of this section, shall issue a
report of its findings and recommendations to the General
Assembly.
(e) As used in this section:
"High-performing charter school" includes, at a minimum, a
charter school that achieved an SPP score of eighty (80) or
higher in any year.
"Low-performing charter school" includes a charter school
that obtained an SPP score of sixty (60) or lower in any year or
has closed due to fraud, waste or mismanagement.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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