The bill amends the General Laws regarding charter schools in Rhode Island by introducing a new section that allows charter schools to offer nontraditional approaches to learning, which must focus on progressive, student-centric, and task-based methods rather than traditional memorization techniques. The Rhode Island Department of Education is responsible for reviewing applications from charter schools that wish to adopt these nontraditional methods to ensure they meet the necessary criteria.

Additionally, if a charter school’s charter is not renewed, its previously allocated seats will be reallocated to a school that is authorized to offer nontraditional approaches to learning.

The bill also permits local communities to adopt an all-charter public school model as an alternative to traditional public schools. This process may involve the establishment of new charter schools, the conversion of traditional public schools to charter schools, or a combination of both. A municipality seeking to implement this model must submit a detailed plan to both the municipality's governing body and the school committee. If both entities approve the plan, it will then be presented to the voters of the municipality in a referendum at either a special or general election. Upon an affirmative vote, the plan will be deemed approved, allowing the municipality to undertake necessary measures to implement the all-charter public school model.

This act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5337: 16-77-3.1