The authority has the following powers and duties:

1.__Comprehensive funding plan.__To develop a comprehensive funding plan for independent and other charter schools that seek funding outside of school tuition reimbursement or pass-through agreements between school administrative units and charter schools operating in those units;

2.__Financial assistance.__To develop per pupil funding for parents of children living in areas where there is not sufficient funding to operate the charter school;

3.__Charter school plan.__To develop a comprehensive charter school plan based on student survey data that prioritizes the special populations of students to be served; identifies regions of the State where those populations are large enough to create a demand for a new school; and identifies sources of funding for students including scholarships, grants, federal funds and technology grants;

4.__Start-up funds.__To allocate start-up funds to qualified groups wishing to start a charter school, based on priorities set in the charter school plan;

5.__Technical assistance.__To secure technical assistance for start-up groups and new charter schools from existing sources;

6.__Construction and renovation.__To secure assistance on capital construction and renovation plans;

7.__Sponsor contracts.__To contract with sponsors of charter schools that are not public schools;

8.__Coordination.__To coordinate with other state and federal agencies to ensure that charter schools receive all available funds, goods and services that are provided to other public schools and local education agencies;

9.__Handbook.__To develop a model handbook to be used as a guide by charter groups;

10.__Model contract. To develop a model performance contract to be used by sponsors;

11.__Recruitment and training.__To__recruit teachers from regions that are closing schools because of falling enrollments and train them as master teachers.__Master teachers must be