March 31, 2022 — The U.S. Department of Education has proposed new rules for the Federal Charter School Program (CSP).
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD ON THESE NEW RULES — TAKE ACTION by APRIL 18, 2022
The proposed requirements would severely narrow what types of schools could apply for federal funding for startup or expansion grants and negatively impact the program and charter schools in a significant way. They also have the potential to ripple through state charter laws and policies in ways that make it harder for all charter schools to open or get renewed by their authorizers.
The proposed regulations and requirements are significant and problematic — diminishing the likelihood of new schools or school expansions receiving CSP grants. The proposed regulations include:
- A requirement that the charter school have a collaborative “Partnership Agreement” with a traditional public school or school district, which gives veto power to districts over whether a charter school is eligible for a CSP grant.
- A requirement for a “Community Impact Analysis” to be eligible for a grant.
- A requirement that the proposed charter school to be opened, replicated, or expanded does not exceed the number of public schools needed to meet the demand in the community.
- A requirement that the proposed charter school hold a public hearing on what the school’s impact would be on the community and desegregation efforts in that community.
- A requirement that the charter school provide a description of the school’s plan to maintain a socio-economic diverse student and staff population.
- A requirement of the steps the charter school will take to ensure that a pre-op school does not negatively affect local desegregation efforts.
These new regulations and requirements would create new Federal Standards and override state charter school laws and policies.
To submit your comments, go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal or send a personalized message through the National Alliance for Public Charter School’s page. Please personalize the message provided to include your perspective on how receiving a CSP grant benefitted your school and the community it serves, and how the proposed requirements would impact your school.
Submitted Letters:
Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran sends letter to US DOE – “…the changes proposed by your agency have the potential to upend the public charter school concept and depress – not enhance – the educational choice families deserve. Commissioner Corcoran also submitted formal comments to the Federal Register.
The National Alliance Public Charter Schools’ comment letter explains why the proposed rules are flawed and offer suggested changes.
Notice of proposed requirements for the Charter Schools Program grants
Click here to view the .proposed CSP requirements released by US DOE.
Wall Street Journal
A Case of Charter School Sabotage, March 28, 2022