HB541 Alabama 2012 Session

This bill would establish the Education Options Act of 2012

This bill authorizes the establishment of innovative schools and school systems in this state by creating a process whereby school systems may enter into a school flexibility contract with the State Department of Education that allows for flexibility from state laws, including State Board of Education rules, regulations, and policies, in exchange for academic and associated goals

This bill also authorizes the establishment of public charter schools in this state and specifically provides that any public charter school established pursuant to this bill is part of the state's public education system. Further, this bill provides that only nonprofit, nonreligious organizations may apply to receive a charter

Establishing the Education Options Act of 2012; to provide an overview of the act; to provide legislative findings and purposes; to provide definitions; to authorize school systems to enter into school flexibility contracts with the state; to provide for the Charter School Application Review Council; to provide for the process to be followed before a school flexibility contract is executed; to provide for the roles and responsibilities of the State Department of Education relating to public charter schools; to provide enrollment requirements for public charter schools; to provide for the roles and responsibilities of public charter school authorizers; to provide for the process of requesting proposals for public charter school applications; to specify who may apply to open a public charter school; to provide for the charter contract; to provide for the operation and funding of public charter schools; to provide for public charter school facilities; to provide for extracurricular and interscholastic opportunities; and to provide for an effective date.