Collapse to view only § 7221f. Solicitation of input from charter school operators
- § 7221. Purpose
- § 7221a. Program authorized
- § 7221b. Grants to support high-quality charter schools
- § 7221c. Facilities financing assistance
- § 7221d. National activities
- § 7221e. Federal formula allocation during first year and for successive enrollment expansions
- § 7221f. Solicitation of input from charter school operators
- § 7221g. Records transfer
- § 7221h. Paperwork reduction
- § 7221i. Definitions
- § 7221j. Authorization of appropriations
§ 7221. Purpose
It is the purpose of this part to—
(1) improve the United States education system and education opportunities for all people in the United States by supporting innovation in public education in public school settings that prepare students to compete and contribute to the global economy and a stronger Nation;
(2) provide financial assistance for the planning, program design, and initial implementation of charter schools;
(3) increase the number of high-quality charter schools available to students across the United States;
(4) evaluate the impact of charter schools on student achievement, families, and communities, and share best practices between charter schools and other public schools;
(5) encourage States to provide support to charter schools for facilities financing in an amount more nearly commensurate to the amount States typically provide for traditional public schools;
(6) expand opportunities for children with disabilities, English learners, and other traditionally underserved students to attend charter schools and meet the challenging State academic standards;
(7) support efforts to strengthen the charter school authorizing process to improve performance management, including transparency, oversight and monitoring (including financial audits), and evaluation of such schools; and
(8) support quality, accountability, and transparency in the operational performance of all authorized public chartering agencies, including State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and other authorizing entities.
(Pub. L. 89–10, title IV, § 4301, as added Pub. L. 114–95, title IV, § 4301(1), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1993.)
§ 7221a. Program authorized
(a) In generalThe Secretary may carry out a charter school program that supports charter schools that serve early childhood, elementary school, or secondary school students by—
(1) supporting the startup of new charter schools, the replication of high-quality charter schools, and the expansion of high-quality charter schools;
(2) assisting charter schools in accessing credit to acquire and renovate facilities for school use; and
(3) carrying out national activities to support—
(A) the activities described in paragraph (1);
(B) the dissemination of best practices of charter schools for all schools;
(C) the evaluation of the impact of the charter school program under this part on schools participating in such program; and
(D) stronger charter school authorizing practices.
(b) Funding allotmentFrom the amount made available under section 7221j of this title for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall—
(1) reserve 12.5 percent to support charter school facilities assistance under section 7221c of this title;
(2) reserve 22.5 percent to carry out national activities under section 7221d of this title; and
(3) use the remaining amount after the reservations under paragraphs (1) and (2) to carry out section 7221b of this title.
(c) Prior grants and subgrants
(Pub. L. 89–10, title IV, § 4302, as added Pub. L. 114–95, title IV, § 4301(1), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1994.)
§ 7221b. Grants to support high-quality charter schools
(a) State entity definedFor purposes of this section, the term “State entity” means—
(1) a State educational agency;
(2) a State charter school board;
(3) a Governor of a State; or
(4) a charter school support organization.
(b) Program authorizedFrom the amount available under section 7221a(b)(3) of this title, the Secretary shall award, on a competitive basis, grants to State entities having applications approved under subsection (f) to enable such entities to—
(1) award subgrants to eligible applicants to enable eligible applicants to—
(A) open and prepare for the operation of new charter schools;
(B) open and prepare for the operation of replicated high-quality charter schools; or
(C) expand high-quality charter schools; and
(2) provide technical assistance to eligible applicants and authorized public chartering agencies in carrying out the activities described in paragraph (1), and work with authorized public chartering agencies in the State to improve authorizing quality, including developing capacity for, and conducting, fiscal oversight and auditing of charter schools.
(c) State entity uses of funds
(1) In generalA State entity receiving a grant under this section shall—
(A) use not less than 90 percent of the grant funds to award subgrants to eligible applicants, in accordance with the quality charter school program described in the State entity’s application pursuant to subsection (f), for the purposes described in subsection (b)(1);
(B) reserve not less than 7 percent of such funds to carry out the activities described in subsection (b)(2); and
(C) reserve not more than 3 percent of such funds for administrative costs, which may include technical assistance.
(2) Contracts and grants
(3) Rule of construction
(A) Use of lotteryNothing in this chapter shall prohibit the Secretary from awarding grants to State entities, or prohibit State entities from awarding subgrants to eligible applicants, that use a weighted lottery to give slightly better chances for admission to all, or a subset of, educationally disadvantaged students if—
(i) the use of weighted lotteries in favor of such students is not prohibited by State law, and such State law is consistent with laws described in section 7221i(2)(G) of this title; and
(ii) such weighted lotteries are not used for the purpose of creating schools exclusively to serve a particular subset of students.
(B) Students with special needs
(d) Program periods; peer review; distribution of subgrants; waivers
(1) Program periods
(A) Grants
(B) Subgrants
(2) Peer review
(3) Grant awards
(A) In generalThe Secretary—
(i) shall for each fiscal year for which funds are appropriated under section 7221j of this title—(I) award not less than 3 grants under this section; and(II) fully obligate the first 2 years of funds appropriated for the purpose of awarding grants under this section in the first fiscal year for which such grants are awarded; and
(ii) prior to the start of the third year of the grant period and each succeeding year of each grant awarded under this section to a State entity—(I) shall review—(aa) whether the State entity is using the grant funds for the agreed upon uses of funds; and(bb) whether the full amount of the grant will be needed for the remainder of the grant period; and(II) may, as determined necessary based on that review, terminate or reduce the amount of the grant and reallocate the remaining grant funds to other State entities—(aa) by using such funds to award grants under this section to other State entities; or(bb) in a fiscal year in which the amount of such remaining funds is insufficient to award grants under item (aa), in accordance with subparagraph (B).
(B) Remaining fundingFor a fiscal year for which there are remaining grant funds under this paragraph, but the amount of such funds is insufficient to award a grant to a State entity under this section, the Secretary shall use such remaining grants funds—
(i) to supplement funding for grants under section 7221d(a)(2) of this title, but not to supplant—(I) the funds reserved under section 7221d(a)(2) of this title; and(II) funds otherwise reserved under section 7221a(b)(2) of this title to carry out national activities under section 7221d of this title;
(ii) to award grants to State entities to carry out the activities described in subsection (b)(1) for the next fiscal year; or
(iii) to award one year of a grant under subsection (b)(1) to a high-scoring State entity, in an amount at or above the minimum amount the State entity needs to be successful for such year.
(4) Diversity of projectsEach State entity awarding subgrants under this section shall award subgrants in a manner that, to the extent practicable and applicable, ensures that such subgrants—
(A) are distributed throughout different areas, including urban, suburban, and rural areas; and
(B) will assist charter schools representing a variety of educational approaches.
(5) WaiversThe Secretary may waive any statutory or regulatory requirement over which the Secretary exercises administrative authority, except any such requirement relating to the elements of a charter school described in section 7221i(2) of this title, if—
(A) the waiver is requested in an approved application under this section; and
(B) the Secretary determines that granting such waiver will promote the purpose of this part.
(e) Limitations
(1) Grants
(2) Subgrants
(f) ApplicationsA State entity desiring to receive a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. The application shall include the following:
(1) Description of programA description of the State entity’s objectives in running a quality charter school program under this section and how the objectives of the program will be carried out, including—
(A) a description of how the State entity will—
(i) support the opening of charter schools through the startup of new charter schools and, if applicable, the replication of high-quality charter schools, and the expansion of high-quality charter schools (including the proposed number of new charter schools to be opened, high-quality charter schools to be opened as a result of the replication of a high-quality charter school, or high-quality charter schools to be expanded under the State entity’s program);
(ii) inform eligible charter schools, developers, and authorized public chartering agencies of the availability of funds under the program;
(iii) work with eligible applicants to ensure that the eligible applicants access all Federal funds that such applicants are eligible to receive, and help the charter schools supported by the applicants and the students attending those charter schools—(I) participate in the Federal programs in which the schools and students are eligible to participate;(II) receive the commensurate share of Federal funds the schools and students are eligible to receive under such programs; and(III) meet the needs of students served under such programs, including students with disabilities and English learners;
(iv) ensure that authorized public chartering agencies, in collaboration with surrounding local educational agencies where applicable, establish clear plans and procedures to assist students enrolled in a charter school that closes or loses its charter to attend other high-quality schools;
(v) in the case of a State entity that is not a State educational agency—(I) work with the State educational agency and charter schools in the State to maximize charter school participation in Federal and State programs for which charter schools are eligible; and(II) work with the State educational agency to operate the State entity’s program under this section, if applicable;
(vi) ensure that each eligible applicant that receives a subgrant under the State entity’s program—(I) is using funds provided under this section for one of the activities described in subsection (b)(1); and(II) is prepared to continue to operate charter schools funded under this section in a manner consistent with the eligible applicant’s application for such subgrant once the subgrant funds under this section are no longer available;
(vii) support—(I) charter schools in local educational agencies with a significant number of schools identified by the State for comprehensive support and improvement under section 6311(c)(4)(D)(i) of this title; and(II) the use of charter schools to improve struggling schools, or to turn around struggling schools;
(viii) work with charter schools on—(I) recruitment and enrollment practices to promote inclusion of all students, including by eliminating any barriers to enrollment for educationally disadvantaged students (who include foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth); and(II) supporting all students once they are enrolled to promote retention, including by reducing the overuse of discipline practices that remove students from the classroom;
(ix) share best and promising practices between charter schools and other public schools;
(x) ensure that charter schools receiving funds under the State entity’s program meet the educational needs of their students, including children with disabilities and English learners;
(xi) support efforts to increase charter school quality initiatives, including meeting the quality authorizing elements described in paragraph (2)(D);
(xii)(I) in the case of a State entity not described in subclause (II), a description of how the State entity will provide oversight of authorizing activity, including how the State will help ensure better authorizing, such as by establishing authorizing standards that may include approving, monitoring, and re-approving or revoking the authority of an authorized public chartering agency based on the performance of the charter schools authorized by such agency in the areas of student achievement, student safety, financial and operational management, and compliance with all applicable statutes and regulations; and(II) in the case of a State entity described in subsection (a)(4), a description of how the State entity will work with the State to support the State’s system of technical assistance and oversight, as described in subclause (I), of the authorizing activity of authorized public chartering agencies; and
(xiii) work with eligible applicants receiving a subgrant under the State entity’s program to support the opening of new charter schools or charter school models described in clause (i) that are high schools;
(B) a description of the extent to which the State entity—
(i) is able to meet and carry out the priorities described in subsection (g)(2);
(ii) is working to develop or strengthen a cohesive statewide system to support the opening of new charter schools and, if applicable, the replication of high-quality charter schools, and the expansion of high-quality charter schools; and
(iii) is working to develop or strengthen a cohesive strategy to encourage collaboration between charter schools and local educational agencies on the sharing of best practices;
(C) a description of how the State entity will award subgrants, on a competitive basis, including—
(i) a description of the application each eligible applicant desiring to receive a subgrant will be required to submit, which application shall include—(I) a description of the roles and responsibilities of eligible applicants, partner organizations, and charter management organizations, including the administrative and contractual roles and responsibilities of such partners;(II) a description of the quality controls agreed to between the eligible applicant and the authorized public chartering agency involved, such as a contract or performance agreement, how a school’s performance in the State’s accountability system and impact on student achievement (which may include student academic growth) will be one of the most important factors for renewal or revocation of the school’s charter, and how the State entity and the authorized public chartering agency involved will reserve the right to revoke or not renew a school’s charter based on financial, structural, or operational factors involving the management of the school;(III) a description of how the autonomy and flexibility granted to a charter school is consistent with the definition of a charter school in section 7221i of this title;(IV) a description of how the eligible applicant will solicit and consider input from parents and other members of the community on the implementation and operation of each charter school that will receive funds under the State entity’s program;(V) a description of the eligible applicant’s planned activities and expenditures of subgrant funds to support the activities described in subsection (b)(1), and how the eligible applicant will maintain financial sustainability after the end of the subgrant period; and(VI) a description of how the eligible applicant will support the use of effective parent, family, and community engagement strategies to operate each charter school that will receive funds under the State entity’s program; and
(ii) a description of how the State entity will review applications from eligible applicants;
(D) in the case of a State entity that partners with an outside organization to carry out the State entity’s quality charter school program, in whole or in part, a description of the roles and responsibilities of the partner;
(E) a description of how the State entity will ensure that each charter school receiving funds under the State entity’s program has considered and planned for the transportation needs of the school’s students;
(F) a description of how the State in which the State entity is located addresses charter schools in the State’s open meetings and open records laws; and
(G) a description of how the State entity will support diverse charter school models, including models that serve rural communities.
(2) AssurancesAssurances that—
(A) each charter school receiving funds through the State entity’s program will have a high degree of autonomy over budget and operations, including autonomy over personnel decisions;
(B) the State entity will support charter schools in meeting the educational needs of their students, as described in paragraph (1)(A)(x);
(C) the State entity will ensure that the authorized public chartering agency of any charter school that receives funds under the State entity’s program adequately monitors each charter school under the authority of such agency in recruiting, enrolling, retaining, and meeting the needs of all students, including children with disabilities and English learners;
(D) the State entity will provide adequate technical assistance to eligible applicants to meet the objectives described in clause (viii) of paragraph (1)(A) and subparagraph (B) of this paragraph;
(E) the State entity will promote quality authorizing, consistent with State law, such as through providing technical assistance to support each authorized public chartering agency in the State to improve such agency’s ability to monitor the charter schools authorized by the agency, including by—
(i) assessing annual performance data of the schools, including, as appropriate, graduation rates, student academic growth, and rates of student attrition;
(ii) reviewing the schools’ independent, annual audits of financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and ensuring that any such audits are publically reported; and
(iii) holding charter schools accountable to the academic, financial, and operational quality controls agreed to between the charter school and the authorized public chartering agency involved, such as through renewal, non-renewal, or revocation of the school’s charter;
(F) the State entity will work to ensure that charter schools are included with the traditional public schools in decisionmaking about the public school system in the State; and
(G) the State entity will ensure that each charter school receiving funds under the State entity’s program makes publicly available, consistent with the dissemination requirements of the annual State report card under section 6311(h) of this title, including on the website of the school, information to help parents make informed decisions about the education options available to their children, including—
(i) information on the educational program;
(ii) student support services;
(iii) parent contract requirements (as applicable), including any financial obligations or fees;
(iv) enrollment criteria (as applicable); and
(v) annual performance and enrollment data for each of the subgroups of students, as defined in section 6311(c)(2) of this title, except that such disaggregation of performance and enrollment data shall not be required in a case in which the number of students in a group is insufficient to yield statically reliable information or the results would reveal personally identifiable information about an individual student.
(3) Requests for waiversInformation about waivers, including—
(A) a request and justification for waivers of any Federal statutory or regulatory provisions that the State entity believes are necessary for the successful operation of the charter schools that will receive funds under the State entity’s program under this section or, in the case of a State entity defined in subsection (a)(4), a description of how the State entity will work with the State to request such necessary waivers, where applicable; and
(B) a description of any State or local rules, generally applicable to public schools, that will be waived, or otherwise not apply to such schools.
(g) Selection criteria; priority
(1) Selection criteriaThe Secretary shall award grants to State entities under this section on the basis of the quality of the applications submitted under subsection (f), after taking into consideration—
(A) the degree of flexibility afforded by the State’s charter school law and how the State entity will work to maximize the flexibility provided to charter schools under such law;
(B) the ambitiousness of the State entity’s objectives for the quality charter school program carried out under this section;
(C) the likelihood that the eligible applicants receiving subgrants under the program will meet those objectives and improve educational results for students;
(D) the State entity’s plan to—
(i) adequately monitor the eligible applicants receiving subgrants under the State entity’s program;
(ii) work with the authorized public chartering agencies involved to avoid duplication of work for the charter schools and authorized public chartering agencies; and
(iii) provide technical assistance and support for—(I) the eligible applicants receiving subgrants under the State entity’s program; and(II) quality authorizing efforts in the State; and
(E) the State entity’s plan to solicit and consider input from parents and other members of the community on the implementation and operation of charter schools in the State.
(2) PriorityIn awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to a State entity to the extent that the entity meets the following criteria:
(A) The State entity is located in a State that—
(i) allows at least one entity that is not a local educational agency to be an authorized public chartering agency for developers seeking to open a charter school in the State; or
(ii) in the case of a State in which local educational agencies are the only authorized public chartering agencies, the State has an appeals process for the denial of an application for a charter school.
(B) The State entity is located in a State that ensures equitable financing, as compared to traditional public schools, for charter schools and students in a prompt manner.
(C) The State entity is located in a State that provides charter schools one or more of the following:
(i) Funding for facilities.
(ii) Assistance with facilities acquisition.
(iii) Access to public facilities.
(iv) The ability to share in bonds or mill levies.
(v) The right of first refusal to purchase public school buildings.
(vi) Low- or no-cost leasing privileges.
(D) The State entity is located in a State that uses best practices from charter schools to help improve struggling schools and local educational agencies.
(E) The State entity supports charter schools that serve at-risk students through activities such as dropout prevention, dropout recovery, or comprehensive career counseling services.
(F) The State entity has taken steps to ensure that all authorizing public chartering agencies implement best practices for charter school authorizing.
(h) Local uses of fundsAn eligible applicant receiving a subgrant under this section shall use such funds to support the activities described in subsection (b)(1), which shall include one or more of the following activities:
(1) Preparing teachers, school leaders, and specialized instructional support personnel, including through paying the costs associated with—
(A) providing professional development; and
(B) hiring and compensating, during the eligible applicant’s planning period specified in the application for subgrant funds that is required under this section, one or more of the following:
(i) Teachers.
(ii) School leaders.
(iii) Specialized instructional support personnel.
(2) Acquiring supplies, training, equipment (including technology), and educational materials (including developing and acquiring instructional materials).
(3) Carrying out necessary renovations to ensure that a new school building complies with applicable statutes and regulations, and minor facilities repairs (excluding construction).
(4) Providing one-time, startup costs associated with providing transportation to students to and from the charter school.
(5) Carrying out community engagement activities, which may include paying the cost of student and staff recruitment.
(6) Providing for other appropriate, non-sustained costs related to the activities described in subsection (b)(1) when such costs cannot be met from other sources.
(i) Reporting requirementsEach State entity receiving a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary, at the end of the third year of the 5-year grant period (or at the end of the second year of the grant period if the grant is less than 5 years), and at the end of such grant period, a report that includes the following:
(1) The number of students served by each subgrant awarded under this section and, if applicable, the number of new students served during each year of the period of the subgrant.
(2) A description of how the State entity met the objectives of the quality charter school program described in the State entity’s application under subsection (f), including—
(A) how the State entity met the objective of sharing best and promising practices described in subsection (f)(1)(A)(ix) in areas such as instruction, professional development, curricula development, and operations between charter schools and other public schools; and
(B) if known, the extent to which such practices were adopted and implemented by such other public schools.
(3) The number and amount of subgrants awarded under this section to carry out activities described in each of subparagraphs (A) through (C) of subsection (b)(1).
(4) A description of—
(A) how the State entity complied with, and ensured that eligible applicants complied with, the assurances included in the State entity’s application; and
(B) how the State entity worked with authorized public chartering agencies, and how the agencies worked with the management company or leadership of the schools that received subgrant funds under this section, if applicable.
(Pub. L. 89–10, title IV, § 4303, as added Pub. L. 114–95, title IV, § 4301(1), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1995.)
§ 7221c. Facilities financing assistance
(a) Grants to eligible entities
(1) In general
(2) Eligible entity defined
For the purposes of this section, the term “eligible entity” means—
(A) a public entity, such as a State or local governmental entity;
(B) a private nonprofit entity; or
(C) a consortium of entities described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).
(b) Grantee selection
(c) Grant characteristics
(d) Applications
(1) In general
(2) Contents
An application submitted under paragraph (1) shall contain—
(A) a statement identifying the activities that the eligible entity proposes to carry out with funds received under subsection (a), including how the eligible entity will determine which charter schools will receive assistance, and how much and what types of assistance charter schools will receive;
(B) a description of the involvement of charter schools in the application’s development and the design of the proposed activities;
(C) a description of the eligible entity’s expertise in capital market financing;
(D) a description of how the proposed activities will leverage the maximum amount of private-sector financing capital relative to the amount of government funding used and otherwise enhance credit available to charter schools, including how the eligible entity will offer a combination of rates and terms more favorable than the rates and terms that a charter school could receive without assistance from the eligible entity under this section;
(E) a description of how the eligible entity possesses sufficient expertise in education to evaluate the likelihood of success of a charter school program for which facilities financing is sought; and
(F) in the case of an application submitted by a State governmental entity, a description of the actions that the eligible entity has taken, or will take, to ensure that charter schools within the State receive the funding that charter schools need to have adequate facilities.
(e) Charter school objectives
An eligible entity receiving a grant under subsection (a) shall use the funds deposited in the reserve account established under subsection (f) to assist one or more charter schools to access private-sector capital to accomplish one or more of the following objectives:
(1) The acquisition (by purchase, lease, donation, or otherwise) of an interest (including an interest held by a third party for the benefit of a charter school) in improved or unimproved real property that is necessary to commence or continue the operation of a charter school.
(2) The construction of new facilities, or the renovation, repair, or alteration of existing facilities, necessary to commence or continue the operation of a charter school.
(3) The predevelopment costs required to assess sites for purposes of paragraph (1) or (2) and that are necessary to commence or continue the operation of a charter school.
(f) Reserve account
(1) Use of funds
To assist charter schools in accomplishing the objectives described in subsection (e), an eligible entity receiving a grant under subsection (a) shall, in accordance with State and local law, directly or indirectly, alone or in collaboration with others, deposit the funds received under subsection (a) (other than funds used for administrative costs in accordance with subsection (g)) in a reserve account established and maintained by the eligible entity for this purpose. Amounts deposited in such account shall be used by the eligible entity for one or more of the following purposes:
(A) Guaranteeing, insuring, and reinsuring bonds, notes, evidences of debt, loans, and interests therein, the proceeds of which are used for an objective described in subsection (e).
(B) Guaranteeing and insuring leases of personal and real property for an objective described in subsection (e).
(C) Facilitating financing by identifying potential lending sources, encouraging private lending, and other similar activities that directly promote lending to, or for the benefit of, charter schools.
(D) Facilitating the issuance of bonds by charter schools, or by other public entities for the benefit of charter schools, by providing technical, administrative, and other appropriate assistance (including the recruitment of bond counsel, underwriters, and potential investors and the consolidation of multiple charter school projects within a single bond issue).
(2) Investment
(3) Reinvestment of earnings
(g) Limitation on administrative costs
(h) Audits and reports
(1) Financial record maintenance and audit
(2) Reports
(A) Grantee annual reports
(B) Contents
Each annual report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include—
(i) a copy of the most recent financial statements, and any accompanying opinion on such statements, prepared by the independent public accountant reviewing the financial records of the eligible entity;
(ii) a copy of any report made on an audit of the financial records of the eligible entity that was conducted under paragraph (1) during the reporting period;
(iii) an evaluation by the eligible entity of the effectiveness of its use of the Federal funds provided under subsection (a) in leveraging private funds;
(iv) a listing and description of the charter schools served during the reporting period, including the amount of funds used by each school, the type of project facilitated by the grant, and the type of assistance provided to the charter schools;
(v) a description of the activities carried out by the eligible entity to assist charter schools in meeting the objectives set forth in subsection (e); and
(vi) a description of the characteristics of lenders and other financial institutions participating in the activities carried out by the eligible entity under this section (excluding subsection (k)) during the reporting period.
(C) Secretarial report
(i) No full faith and credit for grantee obligation
(j) Recovery of funds
(1) In general
The Secretary, in accordance with chapter 37 of title 31, shall collect—
(A) all of the funds in a reserve account established by an eligible entity under subsection (f)(1) if the Secretary determines, not earlier than 2 years after the date on which the eligible entity first received funds under subsection (a), that the eligible entity has failed to make substantial progress in carrying out the purposes described in subsection (f)(1); or
(B) all or a portion of the funds in a reserve account established by an eligible entity under subsection (f)(1) if the Secretary determines that the eligible entity has permanently ceased to use all or a portion of the funds in such account to accomplish any purpose described in subsection (f)(1).
(2) Exercise of authority
(3) Procedures
(4) Construction
(k) Per-pupil facilities aid program
(1) Definition of per-pupil facilities aid program
In this subsection, the term “per-pupil facilities aid program” means a program in which a State makes payments, on a per-pupil basis, to charter schools to provide the schools with financing—
(A) that is dedicated solely to funding charter school facilities; or
(B) a portion of which is dedicated for funding charter school facilities.
(2) Grants
(A) In general
(B) Period
(C) Federal share
The Federal share of the cost described in subparagraph (A) for a per-pupil facilities aid program shall be not more than—
(i) 90 percent of the cost, for the first fiscal year for which the program receives assistance under this subsection;
(ii) 80 percent for the second such year;
(iii) 60 percent for the third such year;
(iv) 40 percent for the fourth such year; and
(v) 20 percent for the fifth such year.
(D) State share
(E) Multiple grants
(3) Use of funds
(A) In general
(B) Evaluations; technical assistance; dissemination
(C) Supplement, not supplant
(4) Requirements
(A) Voluntary participation
(B) State law
(i) In general
To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, a State shall establish or enhance, and administer, a per-pupil facilities aid program for charter schools in the State, that—
(I) is specified in State law; and(II) provides annual financing, on a per-pupil basis, for charter school facilities.(ii) Special rule
(5) Applications
(Pub. L. 89–10, title IV, § 4304, as added Pub. L. 114–95, title IV, § 4301(1), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2004.)
§ 7221d. National activities
(a) In generalFrom the amount reserved under section 7221a(b)(2) of this title, the Secretary shall—
(1) use not more than 80 percent of such funds to award grants in accordance with subsection (b);
(2) use not more than 9 percent of such funds to award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible applicants for the purpose of carrying out the activities described in section 7221b(h) of this title in a State that did not receive a grant under section 7221b of this title; and
(3) after the uses described in paragraphs (1) and (2), use the remainder of such funds to—
(A) disseminate technical assistance to—
(i) State entities in awarding subgrants under section 7221b(b)(1) of this title; and
(ii) eligible entities and States receiving grants under section 7221c of this title;
(B) disseminate best practices regarding charter schools; and
(C) evaluate the impact of the charter school program carried out under this part, including the impact on student achievement.
(b) Grants for the replication and expansion of high-quality charter schools
(1) In general
(2) Definition of eligible entity
(3) Application requirementsAn eligible entity desiring to receive a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. The application shall include the following:
(A) Existing charter school dataFor each charter school currently operated or managed by the eligible entity—
(i) student assessment results for all students and for each subgroup of students described in section 6311(c)(2) of this title;
(ii) attendance and student retention rates for the most recently completed school year and, if applicable, the most recent available 4-year adjusted cohort graduation rates and extended-year adjusted cohort graduation rates; and
(iii) information on any significant compliance and management issues encountered within the last 3 school years by any school operated or managed by the eligible entity, including in the areas of student safety and finance.
(B) DescriptionsA description of—
(i) the eligible entity’s objectives for implementing a high-quality charter school program with funding under this subsection, including a description of the proposed number of high-quality charter schools the eligible entity proposes to open as a result of the replication of a high-quality charter school or to expand with funding under this subsection;
(ii) the educational program that the eligible entity will implement in such charter schools, including—(I) information on how the program will enable all students to meet the challenging State academic standards;(II) the grade levels or ages of students who will be served; and(III) the instructional practices that will be used;
(iii) how the operation of such charter schools will be sustained after the grant under this subsection has ended, which shall include a multi-year financial and operating model for the eligible entity;
(iv) how the eligible entity will ensure that such charter schools will recruit and enroll students, including children with disabilities, English learners, and other educationally disadvantaged students; and
(v) any request and justification for any waivers of Federal statutory or regulatory requirements that the eligible entity believes are necessary for the successful operation of such charter schools.
(C) Assurance
(4) Selection criteriaThe Secretary shall select eligible entities to receive grants under this subsection, on the basis of the quality of the applications submitted under paragraph (3), after taking into consideration such factors as—
(A) the degree to which the eligible entity has demonstrated success in increasing academic achievement for all students and for each of the subgroups of students described in section 6311(c)(2) of this title attending the charter schools the eligible entity operates or manages;
(B) a determination that the eligible entity has not operated or managed a significant proportion of charter schools that—
(i) have been closed;
(ii) have had the school’s charter revoked due to problems with statutory or regulatory compliance; or
(iii) have had the school’s affiliation with the eligible entity revoked or terminated, including through voluntary disaffiliation; and
(C) a determination that the eligible entity has not experienced significant problems with statutory or regulatory compliance that could lead to the revocation of a school’s charter.
(5) PriorityIn awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that—
(A) plan to operate or manage high-quality charter schools with racially and socioeconomically diverse student bodies;
(B) demonstrate success in working with schools identified by the State for comprehensive support and improvement under section 6311(c)(4)(D)(i) of this title;
(C) propose to use funds—
(i) to expand high-quality charter schools to serve high school students; or
(ii) to replicate high-quality charter schools to serve high school students; or
(D) propose to operate or manage high-quality charter schools that focus on dropout recovery and academic reentry.
(c) Terms and conditions
(Pub. L. 89–10, title IV, § 4305, as added Pub. L. 114–95, title IV, § 4301(1), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2009.)
§ 7221e. Federal formula allocation during first year and for successive enrollment expansions
(a) In general
(b) Adjustment and late openings
(1) In general
(2) Rule
(c) New or significantly expanding charter schools
(Pub. L. 89–10, title IV, § 4306, formerly title V, § 5206, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1797; renumbered title IV, § 4306, and amended Pub. L. 114–95, title IV, §§ 4001(b)(2)(A), (B), (D)(iii), 4301(2), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1967, 2011.)
§ 7221f. Solicitation of input from charter school operators
To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that administrators, teachers, and other individuals directly involved in the operation of charter schools are consulted in the development of any rules or regulations required to implement this subpart, as well as in the development of any rules or regulations relevant to charter schools that are required to implement part A of subchapter I, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.], or any other program administered by the Secretary that provides education funds to charter schools or regulates the activities of charter schools.
(Pub. L. 89–10, title IV, § 4307, formerly title V, § 5207, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1798; renumbered title IV, § 4307, Pub. L. 114–95, title IV, § 4001(b)(2)(A), (B), (D)(iii), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1967.)
§ 7221g. Records transfer
State educational agencies and local educational agencies, as quickly as possible and to the extent practicable, shall ensure that a student’s records and, if applicable, a student’s individualized education program as defined in section 1401 of this title, are transferred to a charter school upon the transfer of the student to the charter school, and to another public school upon the transfer of the student from a charter school to another public school, in accordance with applicable State law.
(Pub. L. 89–10, title IV, § 4308, formerly title V, § 5208, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1798; amended Pub. L. 108–446, title III, § 305(g)(2), Dec. 3, 2004, 118 Stat. 2805; renumbered title IV, § 4308, and amended Pub. L. 114–95, title IV, §§ 4001(b)(2)(A), (B), (D)(iii), 4301(3), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1967, 2012.)
§ 7221h. Paperwork reduction
To the extent practicable, the Secretary and each authorized public chartering agency shall ensure that implementation of this subpart results in a minimum of paperwork for any eligible applicant or charter school.
(Pub. L. 89–10, title IV, § 4309, formerly title V, § 5209, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1798; renumbered title IV, § 4309, Pub. L. 114–95, title IV, § 4001(b)(2)(A), (B), (D)(iii), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1967.)
§ 7221i. DefinitionsIn this part:
(1) Authorized public chartering agency
(2) Charter schoolThe term “charter school” means a public school that—
(A) in accordance with a specific State statute authorizing the granting of charters to schools, is exempt from significant State or local rules that inhibit the flexible operation and management of public schools, but not from any rules relating to the other requirements of this paragraph;
(B) is created by a developer as a public school, or is adapted by a developer from an existing public school, and is operated under public supervision and direction;
(C) operates in pursuit of a specific set of educational objectives determined by the school’s developer and agreed to by the authorized public chartering agency;
(D) provides a program of elementary or secondary education, or both;
(E) is nonsectarian in its programs, admissions policies, employment practices, and all other operations, and is not affiliated with a sectarian school or religious institution;
(F) does not charge tuition;
(G) complies with the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 [42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.], title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.], title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 [20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.], section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [29 U.S.C. 794], the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), section 1232g of this title (commonly referred to as the “Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974”), and part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [20 U.S.C. 1411 et seq.];
(H) is a school to which parents choose to send their children, and that—
(i) admits students on the basis of a lottery, consistent with section 7221b(c)(3)(A) of this title, if more students apply for admission than can be accommodated; or
(ii) in the case of a school that has an affiliated charter school (such as a school that is part of the same network of schools), automatically enrolls students who are enrolled in the immediate prior grade level of the affiliated charter school and, for any additional student openings or student openings created through regular attrition in student enrollment in the affiliated charter school and the enrolling school, admits students on the basis of a lottery as described in clause (i);
(I) agrees to comply with the same Federal and State audit requirements as do other elementary schools and secondary schools in the State, unless such State audit requirements are waived by the State;
(J) meets all applicable Federal, State, and local health and safety requirements;
(K) operates in accordance with State law;
(L) has a written performance contract with the authorized public chartering agency in the State that includes a description of how student performance will be measured in charter schools pursuant to State assessments that are required of other schools and pursuant to any other assessments mutually agreeable to the authorized public chartering agency and the charter school; and
(M) may serve students in early childhood education programs or postsecondary students.
(3) Charter management organization
(4) Charter school support organizationThe term “charter school support organization” means a nonprofit, nongovernmental entity that is not an authorized public chartering agency and provides, on a statewide basis—
(A) assistance to developers during the planning, program design, and initial implementation of a charter school; and
(B) technical assistance to operating charter schools.
(5) Developer
(6) Eligible applicantThe term “eligible applicant” means a developer that has—
(A) applied to an authorized public chartering authority to operate a charter school; and
(B) provided adequate and timely notice to that authority.
(7) Expand
(8) High-quality charter schoolThe term “high-quality charter school” means a charter school that—
(A) shows evidence of strong academic results, which may include strong student academic growth, as determined by a State;
(B) has no significant issues in the areas of student safety, financial and operational management, or statutory or regulatory compliance;
(C) has demonstrated success in significantly increasing student academic achievement, including graduation rates where applicable, for all students served by the charter school; and
(D) has demonstrated success in increasing student academic achievement, including graduation rates where applicable, for each of the subgroups of students, as defined in section 6311(c)(2) of this title, except that such demonstration is not required in a case in which the number of students in a group is insufficient to yield statistically reliable information or the results would reveal personally identifiable information about an individual student.
(9) Replicate
(Pub. L. 89–10, title IV, § 4310, formerly title V, § 5210, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title V, § 501, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1798; renumbered title IV, § 4310, and amended Pub. L. 114–95, title IV, §§ 4001(b)(2)(A), (B), (D)(iii), 4301(4), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1967, 2012.)
§ 7221j. Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part—
(1) $270,000,000 for fiscal year 2017;
(2) $270,000,000 for fiscal year 2018;
(3) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; and
(4) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2020.
(Pub. L. 89–10, title IV, § 4311, as added Pub. L. 114–95, title IV, § 4301(5), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2013.)