An Act relating charter schools; and providing for an effective date.

Updated: April 15, 1999

In 1995, the Alaska State Legislature passed CSSB 88(FIN) authorizing Alaskan charter schools. Alaskan charter schools have attracted an impressive cadre of educational enthusiasts who have struggled to make the Charter Schools work under Alaska law. Three years of experience has highlighted the areas of Alaskan charter school law that need adjustment. HB 191 addresses some of these issues.

Charter schools may be the most vibrant force in Alaskan education today. No one can say with confidence how large this movement may grow if we give it a chance. While it is too early to say anything conclusive about their educational effectiveness, there is a growing body of positive evidence.

Genuine educational innovation and passionate participation are occurring in Alaska's charter schools. While it is reassuring and heart-warming to see the dedication and fervor of parents involving themselves in their children's education, it is alarming to see the difficult barriers they face. HB 191 lowers some of these barriers.

A U.S. Department of Education Charter School study shows that lack of funds, facilities, and opposition by school boards and districts are among the leading "difficult" or "very difficult" barriers faced by our nation's charter schools. Alaska is no exception. Unfortunately, when compared nationally, our charter school law has been rated "weak". This bill gives strength to charter schools in some of the areas pointed out as lacking within these studies.

HB 191 strengthens the hand of charter schools by:

1. Removing the cap on the allowable number of charter schools,
2. Increasing the allowable length of a charter school's contract,
3. Ensuring accountability by requiring student exit exams,
4. Allowing not-for-profit charter schools to raise funds in order to enhance their budgets, and
5. Clarifying that charter school students are to receive an equitable share of State, Federal, Local, and other revenue they generate.

This bill requires that charter schools receive an itemized list of services that are provided by school districts. Other than those required by law, it allows charter schools to "opt out" of any service the local school districts provide. Each mandated program will be itemized just like the services "purchased" by the charter school.

The result will be increased accountability to taxpayers by revealing the per-pupil cost of each educational service on a "stand-alone" basis.