Bill > HB1322

This bill modifies Tennessee's charter school laws by making several key changes to how charter schools are authorized, replicated, and overseen. The bill introduces a new process called "replication," which allows a successful charter school's governing body to create additional schools with the same academic focus by applying either to the local school board or directly to the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission. The bill expands the commission's authority by allowing it to directly authorize charter schools under certain circumstances, such as when a local board of education has repeatedly denied charter school applications. Additionally, the bill updates reporting requirements, changes the roles of various state education agencies, and provides public higher education institutions more flexibility in sponsoring charter schools, including the ability to give enrollment preferences to their employees' children. The bill also standardizes timelines for charter school application reviews, with provisions that automatically approve applications if not acted upon within specified timeframes. These changes aim to provide more pathways for charter school creation and increase oversight and transparency in the charter school authorization process, with the new provisions set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Education, Government Affairs

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1322&ga=114