Bill > S803

This bill, titled the "Parent Empowerment and Choice Act," establishes a process for parents and legal guardians to initiate reforms in "low performing schools," which are defined as public schools where over 40% of students scored in the "partially proficient range" (meaning they did not meet proficiency standards) in both language arts and mathematics on State assessments for the past two years, or over 65% scored partially proficient in either subject. Parents can submit a petition signed by more than 50% of households in the school's attendance zone, requesting one of three reform measures: reopening the school as a charter school, changing school leadership, or establishing a tuition voucher system. If a tuition voucher is requested, it will cover the cost of attending a nonpublic school or another public school in the state, with transportation provided. The bill also amends existing law to include students attending schools via these tuition vouchers in the calculation of "resident enrollment," which is a key factor in determining state aid for school districts.