This bill revises existing laws governing charter schools in Iowa, primarily by eliminating references to "innovation zone schools" and focusing on the operational and funding aspects of charter schools. Key changes include the stipulation that the state board will not approve new charter schools after July 1, 2021, and that approved charter school applications will now constitute a five-year enforceable, renewable contract. The bill mandates that charter schools comply with all applicable federal, state, and local health and safety requirements, and it emphasizes the need for a performance framework to be included in charter school contracts for evaluation purposes.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions to enhance accountability and support for charter school students, such as requiring public school districts to offer driver education courses to charter school students and allowing them to participate in extracurricular activities at public schools under certain conditions. It also updates the purpose of charter schools to focus on preventing learning loss during significant disruptions, rather than specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline the governance of charter schools while ensuring equitable access to educational resources and maintaining high 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