This bill revises the laws governing charter schools in Iowa, primarily by eliminating references to innovation zone schools, thereby focusing solely on charter schools. Key changes include the designation of the state board of education as the sole authorizer of charter schools and the introduction of a performance framework that must be incorporated into charter school contracts. The bill also removes the requirement for school boards to consider charter school applications by a specific deadline, allowing for greater flexibility in the application process. Additionally, it establishes that no new charter schools will be approved after July 1, 2021, and mandates that charter schools adhere to various regulations, including student immunization requirements.

Furthermore, the bill enhances the governance and oversight of charter schools by requiring them to report annually to both the school board and the state board, and it mandates the state board to submit a comprehensive report to the general assembly evaluating charter school programs. It also allows students in charter schools to participate in extracurricular activities at public schools under certain conditions, ensuring equitable access to educational opportunities. The term of charter school contracts is extended from four to five years, and the bill modifies the purpose of charter schools to focus on preventing learning loss during significant disruptions to education, rather than being limited to the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, the bill aims to streamline charter school operations while ensuring accountability and compliance with educational standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 29E.1, 232E.1, 256.7, 139A.8, 256E.1, 256E.2, 256E.4, 256E.5, 256E.6, 256E.7, 256E.8, 257.6, 256E.10, 256E.11, 256E.12, 256F.1, 256F.2, 256F.4, 256E.9, 256F.5, 256.145, 282.18, 280.36, 282.9, 257.9, 273.2, 273.1, 280.13A, 299A.1