Resolve, Directing the Department of Education To Determine the Effectiveness and Success of Charter Schools

Sec. 1. Department of Education to determine the effectiveness and success of public charter schools. Resolved: That the Department of Education shall conduct a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of the progress and achievements of public charter schools to determine the effectiveness and success of public charter schools at meeting the goals of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 2402. The comprehensive assessment and evaluation must include the effect, cost and effectiveness of the present public charter schools in the State in carrying out the goals of Title 20-A, section 2402 and their effect on school administrative units and education in the State generally and establish recommended standards by which public charter schools are to be evaluated; and be it further

Sec. 2. Moratorium. Resolved: That a charter school contract under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 2408 may not be executed until the report under section 3 is submitted; and be it further

Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That, by December 6, 2017, the Department of Education shall submit a report on the assessment and evaluation in section 1 and any recommended legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs. The joint standing committee may report out legislation based upon the report and recommended legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 128th Legislature.

summary

This resolve requires the Department of Education to conduct an evaluation and assessment of public charter schools to determine their effectiveness and success in carrying out state goals with respect to public charter schools and to establish recommended standards by which public charter schools are to be evaluated. This resolve also places a moratorium on executing any charter school contracts until the department submits its report on the assessment and evaluation to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, which may report out legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 128th Legislature.