Senate Resolution No. by Senator Bouie directs the state Department of Education to compile and submit a detailed report to the Senate committees on education and finance regarding the original Charter School Demonstration Programs Law. This resolution acknowledges the legislative intent behind the law, which aimed to create innovative public schools and improve educational opportunities for all students, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged. The report is expected to evaluate the program's purpose, history, and the effectiveness of evidence-based approaches used in charter schools since the program's inception.
The report must include specific information such as the evidence-based approaches utilized by participating schools, mechanisms for analyzing experimental results, and the outcomes of these approaches, both positive and negative. Additionally, it will detail the number of charter schools that have operated and closed since 2003, as well as the total state funding allocated to charter schools from 2005 to 2025. The findings will also be reviewed by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, with a deadline for the report set for December 31, 2025, and the auditor's assessment due by April 1, 2026.