Extends the evaluation period of new century charter schools from 4 to 6 years.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to encourage and facilitate a thriving century charter school system in Hawaii by extending the evaluation period of new century charter schools from four to six years.

SECTION 2. Section 302A-1186, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

"(b) The board shall initiate an independent evaluation of each new century charter school [four] six years after its establishment and every [four] six years thereafter to [assure] ensure compliance with statewide student content and performance standards and fiscal accountability; provided that each new century charter school established prior to July 1, 1998, shall be evaluated [four] six years after July 1, 1998, and every [four] six years thereafter. Upon a determination by the board that student achievement within a new century charter school does not meet the student performance standards, or that the new century charter school is not fiscally responsible, a new century charter school shall be placed on probationary status and shall have two years to bring student performance into compliance with statewide standards and improve the school's fiscal accountability. If a new century charter school fails to meet its probationary requirements, or fails to comply with any of the requirements of this section, the board, upon a two-thirds majority vote, may then deny the continuation of the new century charter school."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.