Legislative Intent

TITLE 33 EDUCATION CHAPTER 52 PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS 33-5202. LEGISLATIVE INTENT. It is the intent of the legislature to provide opportunities for students, parents, teachers, and community members to attend, establish, and maintain public charter schools that operate independently from the existing traditional school district structure but within the existing public school system. Public charter schools are hereby authorized as part of the state’s program of public education and they shall have equal access and authority to participate in all state and federal programs to the same extent as a traditional public school, irrespective of the instructional delivery method. The legislature aims to: (1)  Improve student learning; (2)  Increase learning opportunities for all students, with special emphasis on expanded learning experiences for students; (3)  Include the use of different and innovative teaching methods; (4)  Utilize virtual and hybrid learning; (5)  Create new professional opportunities for teachers, including the opportunity to be responsible for the learning program at the school site; (6)  Provide parents and students with expanded choices in the types of educational opportunities that are available within the public school system; (7)  Hold public charter schools accountable for meeting measurable student educational standards; (8)  Reward public charter schools that meet their accountability measures with enhanced autonomy and freedom from regulatory burden; and (9)  Foster and support charter schools through best practices, development, educational, and operational assistance.