21st Century Charter School Act

To amend the public charter school provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the 21st Century Charter School Act (b) Table of contents The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Purpose. Sec. 3. Program authorized. Sec. 4. Applications. Sec. 5. Administration. Sec. 6. National activities. Sec. 7. Federal formula allocation. Sec. 8. Credit enhancement. Sec. 9. Definitions. Sec. 10. Authorization of appropriations. Sec. 11. Reorganization. Sec. 12. Conforming amendments. 2. Purpose Section 5201 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7221 (1) in paragraph (3), by striking and (2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (6); (3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: (4) encouraging the growth of high-quality charter schools through the replication and expansion of successful charter school models; (5) disseminating charter school innovations throughout public education; and ; and (4) in paragraph (6) (as redesignated by paragraph (2))— (A) by striking more nearly (B) by striking have typically provided provide 3. Program authorized Section 5202 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7221a (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking State educational agencies eligible entities (B) by striking such agencies such entities (C) by striking this subpart section 5204 (2) in subsection (b)— (A) by striking Special rule Special rule; reserve account (1) Special rule If ; (B) by striking a State educational agency an eligible entity (C) by striking subpart section (D) by adding at the end the following: (2) Reserve accounts (A) In general In order to assist eligible entities to accomplish the purposes described in section 5201, an eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall, directly or indirectly, alone or in collaboration with others, deposit the funds received under this section in a reserve account established and maintained by the eligible entity for this purpose, in accordance with State and local law. (B) Investment Funds received under this section that are deposited in the reserve account established under subparagraph (A), shall be invested, to the extent practicable, in obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States or a State, or in other similarly low risk securities, in the same manner as funds of a State are invested under chapter 65 (C) Reinvestment of earnings Any earnings on funds received under this section shall be deposited in a reserve account and used in support of public charter schools in accordance with activities authorized under this Act. ; (3) in subsection (c)— (A) by striking subpart section (B) in paragraph (1)— (i) in the paragraph heading, by striking states eligible entities (ii) by striking State educational agencies eligible entities (iii) by striking not more than 3 years not more than 5 years (C) in paragraph (2)— (i) by striking State educational agencies eligible entities (ii) by striking not more than 3 years not more than 5 years. An eligible applicant may use a portion of the grant period for planning and program design. (4) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following: (d) Charter schools with multiple campuses The Secretary shall allow an eligible entity to award multiple subgrants under section 5204(f)(1) to an eligible applicant in order to support multiple campuses of a charter school. ; (5) in subsection (e)— (A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: (1) In general In awarding grants under this section for fiscal year 2015 or any succeeding fiscal year from any funds appropriated under section 5212 (other than funds reserved to carry out section 5205(c)), the Secretary shall give priority to an eligible entity to the extent that the State in which the eligible entity proposes to carry out the activities under the grant meets the criteria described in paragraph (2) and one or more of the criteria described in subparagraphs (A) through (H) of paragraph (3). ; (B) in paragraph (3)— (i) in subparagraph (A)— (I) by striking a State educational agency an eligible entity (II) by striking subpart section (ii) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); (iii) in subparagraph (B)— (I) by redesignating clause (ii) as subparagraph (C), and aligning the margins of such subparagraph with the margins of subparagraph (A); (II) by striking The State provides The State provides (III) by striking law; or law. (iv) in subparagraph (C) (as redesignated by clause (iii)(I)), by striking in the case allows The State allows (v) in subparagraph (D) (as redesignated by clause (ii))— (I) by striking school has a (i) a ; (II) by striking expenditures. expenditures; and (III) by adding at the end the following: (ii) an independent governing board that enters into a written performance contract with an authorized public chartering agency. ; and (vi) by adding at the end the following: (E) The State— (i) provides public charter schools with funding commensurate with the funding provided to other public schools, including capital or facilities aid distributed through a formula or revenue generated by bonds; and (ii) ensures that the State educational agency and local educational agencies provide public charter schools with the Federal, State, and local funds to which the public charter schools are entitled in a timely manner. (F) The State makes it a priority to create charter schools in local educational agencies with large numbers of schools designated as in need of improvement, corrective action, or restructuring under paragraph (1), (7), or (8) of section 1116(b). (G) The State has developed a transparent authorizer accreditation, training, or review process for evaluating the effectiveness and quality of the State’s authorized public chartering agencies, or each authorized public chartering agency in the State has implemented such a process, including— (i) a process for reviewing and evaluating the performance of the authorized public chartering agencies in the State in authorizing or approving public charter schools, including a process that enables the authorized public chartering agencies to respond to any State concerns or deficiencies regarding such authorizing or approving; and (ii) any other necessary policies to ensure effective charter school authorizing in the State that are developed in conjunction with the State’s charter school community and in accordance with the principles of high quality charter school authorizing, as determined by the State in consultation with the charter school community and stakeholders. (H) The State does not have a cap on charter schools that constrains growth and limits parental options in an unreasonable manner. ; and (6) in subsection (f)— (A) by striking subpart to a State educational agency section to an eligible entity (B) by striking in the State. in the State where the grant activities will be carried out. 4. Applications Section 5203 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7221b (1) by striking this subpart section 5202 (2) in subsection (a), by striking state agencies eligible entities (3) in subsection (b)— (A) in the subsection heading, by striking a state educational agency an eligible entity (B) in paragraph (1)— (i) by striking State educational agency's eligible entity's (ii) by striking State educational agency to eligible entity to (C) in paragraph (2)— (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking describe how the State educational agency— describe the State's level of participation and involvement in the grant, including a letter from the State describing how the State— (ii) in the matter preceding clause (i) of subparagraph (A), by striking in the State in the area served by the grant (iii) in subparagraph (B)— (I) by striking in the State in the area served by the grant (II) by striking and (iv) in subparagraph (C), by striking to each local ; and related to such areas as budgeting, scheduling, staffing, and instruction to public schools, including public charter schools in the State; (v) by adding at the end the following: (D) will ensure the proper handling and management of Federal funds; and (E) will oversee and hold accountable the authorized public chartering agencies in the State, including through a transparent authorizer accreditation, training, and review process described in section 5202(e)(3)(G); ; (D) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); (E) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: (3) describe the criteria that the eligible entity will use to award subgrants to eligible applicants to ensure high-quality charter schools; ; (F) in paragraph (4) (as redesignated by subparagraph (D))— (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking State educational agency eligible entity (ii) in subparagraph (A)— (I) by redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) as clauses (iii) and (iv), respectively; and (II) by inserting after clause (i) the following: (ii) the charter school's plan for using academic assessments to measure and report student academic progress; ; (iii) in subparagraph (B), by striking managed; managed, including— (i) the charter school's financial plan and policies, including financial controls and annual audit requirements; (ii) a clear description of the roles and responsibilities for the charter school's governing board, leadership, and management team, and any other organizations critical to the charter school's operations or success; (iii) plans for recruiting and developing the charter school's leadership and staff; (iv) the charter school’s leadership and teacher employment policies, including performance evaluation plans; (v) the proposed governing bylaws of the charter school; and (vi) a detailed charter school start-up plan that identifies tasks, timelines, and responsible parties; ; (iv) in subparagraph (E), by inserting , including documentation of the parents' and community members' support for the school (v) in subparagraph (F), by striking a description of how an assurance from the authorized public chartering agency that (vi) in subparagraph (H), by inserting and how such funds will be used for planning, program design, and the initial implementation of a charter school (vii) in subparagraph (I)(ii), by inserting , including through a lottery process if the number of applicants exceeds the number of seats available at the charter school (viii) in subparagraphs (J) and (K), by striking State educational agency eligible entity (ix) by striking subparagraph (M); (x) by redesignating subparagraph (N) as subparagraph (O); (xi) by inserting after subparagraph (L) the following: (M) a demonstration of support for the charter school from the State’s charter school community; (N) a description of how the independent governing board of the charter school, including a board overseeing multi-campus charters, is encouraged to include individuals with a diversity of skills, including business management, financial management, real estate finance, and curriculum and instruction; and ; and (xii) in subparagraph (O) (as redesignated by clause (x))— (I) by striking State educational agency eligible entity (II) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (G) by adding at the end the following: (5) in the case of an eligible entity that is an authorized public chartering agency— (A) describe such eligible entity's strategic goal for chartering schools and progress towards that goal; and (B) provide an assurance that the eligible entity will annually file a plan with the State in which the eligible entity is located that covers such topics necessary for effective charter school oversight, including, at a minimum— (i) the academic and financial performance of all operating public charter schools overseen by the eligible entity, according to the performance expectations for each public charter school set forth in the school's contract; (ii) the status of the eligible entity's public charter school portfolio, identifying all public charter schools in each of the following categories: approved (but not yet open), operating, renewed, transferred, revoked, not renewed, voluntarily closed, or never opened; (iii) the authorizing functions provided by the eligible entity to the public charter schools the eligible entity oversees, including the eligible entity's operating costs and expenses detailed in annual audited financial statements that conform with generally accepted accounting principles; and (iv) the services purchased from the eligible entity by the public charter schools overseen by the eligible entity, including an itemized accounting of the actual costs of these services. ; and (4) in subsection (d)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) by striking (A) through (N) of subsection (b)(3) (A) through (O) of subsection (b)(4) (ii) by striking and (N) and (O) (iii) by striking State educational agency eligible entity (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking State educational agency eligible entity (ii) in paragraph (3)— (I) by striking State educational agency eligible entity (II) by striking subgrant if subgrant. 5. Administration Section 5204 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7221c (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in the subsection heading, by striking State educational agencies eligible entities (B) by striking this subpart section 5202 (C) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking State educational agencies eligible entities (D) in paragraph (1), by inserting , including efforts at closing the achievement gap by meeting the annual objectives described in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(v) (E) in paragraph (2), by inserting and autonomy flexibility (F) in paragraph (5), by inserting and (G) in paragraph (6), by striking ; and (H) by striking paragraph (7); (2) in subsection (b)— (A) by striking this subpart section 5202 (B) in paragraph (5), by inserting and (C) in paragraph (6), by striking ; and (D) by striking paragraph (7); (3) in subsection (c)— (A) by striking this subpart section 5202 (B) by striking State educational agency eligible entity (4) in subsection (d)— (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)— (i) by striking State educational agency receiving a grant under this subpart eligible entity receiving a grant under section 5202 (ii) by striking this subpart in such section in (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting or use non-traditional curricula (5) in subsection (e)— (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (1), by striking 5210(1) 5211(2) (B) in paragraph (1), by striking this subpart section 5203 (6) in subsection (f)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in the paragraph heading, by striking State educational agencies.— State educational agencies.— (A) In general Each eligible entity ; (ii) by striking under this subpart under section 5202 (iii) by inserting , including a new campus or expansion of an existing charter school, charter school (iv) by striking in the State in the area to be served by the grant (v) by striking , except that paragraph (6). (B) by striking paragraph (6); (C) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (5) as paragraphs (4) through (7), respectively; (D) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: (2) Charter school developers In awarding subgrants under this section, an eligible entity shall ensure that— (A) most of the subgrant funds are awarded to eligible applicants described in section 5211(5)(A); and (B) subgrants are awarded, to the extent practicable, to a mix of such eligible applicants. (3) Amount of subgrants An eligible entity may vary the amount of a subgrant under this section based upon a variety of factors, including— (A) whether the eligible applicant is a start-up charter school or a conversion charter school (as defined by the eligible entity); and (B) whether the eligible applicant is creating a charter school under a new charter or an existing charter. ; (E) in paragraph (4) (as redesignated by subparagraph (C))— (i) by striking a State educational agency an eligible entity (ii) by striking , or to disseminate information about the charter school and successful practices in the charter school, (F) in paragraph (5) (as redesignated by subparagraph (C))— (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking this subpart section 5202 (ii) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking and (iii) in subparagraph (B)(iv), by striking the period and inserting ; and (iv) by adding at the end the following: (C) providing assistance, through activities described in section 5205(b)(4), in implementing charter school innovations and disseminating information regarding such innovations. ; (G) in paragraph (6)(A) (as redesignated by subparagraph (C))— (i) in the subparagraph heading, by striking State educational agency Eligible entity (ii) by striking State educational agency eligible entity (iii) by striking pursuant to this subpart pursuant to section 5202 (iv) by striking this subpart such section (v) by adding at the end the following: An eligible entity may use a portion of the reserved funds to improve the charter school authorizing policies and practices of the area served by the eligible entity, which may include the approval, monitoring, and renewal of charter schools. (H) in paragraph (7) (as redesignated by subparagraph (C))— (i) by striking State educational agency eligible entity (ii) by striking this subpart section 5202 (iii) by striking 10 20 (iv) by striking the State educational agency sources. the eligible entity, for expenses necessary to plan, begin operations, and subsequently operate a public charter school. (7) by striking subsection (g). 6. National activities Section 5205 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7221d (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (3)(E), by striking schools schools, authorized public chartering agencies, and charter support organizations (B) by adding at the end the following: (6) To provide technical assistance to charter schools on how to meet the requirements of part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. ; (2) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively; (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following: (b) National dissemination (1) In general To carry out this subsection, the Secretary shall reserve for each fiscal year not more than $8,000,000 of the amount appropriated to carry out this subpart. (2) Eligibility In order to receive a grant under this subsection, an entity shall— (A) be— (i) a charter school; (ii) an eligible applicant; (iii) an eligible entity; or (iv) a consortium of entities described in clauses (i), (ii), or (iii); and (B) submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (3) Criteria The Secretary shall award grants under this subsection on the basis of— (A) the quality of the application; (B) the capacity of the applicant to execute the application; and (C) the scale of the expected impact of the application. (4) Activities A recipient of a grant under this subsection shall use funds received under the grant to assist other schools in the recipient's State and in other States in adopting charter school innovations, or to disseminate information about charter school innovations, through activities such as— (A) assisting other entities with the planning and start-up of one or more new public schools, including charter schools; (B) developing partnerships designed to improve student academic achievement; (C) developing curriculum materials, assessments, and other materials that promote increased student achievement and are based on successful practices at charter schools; (D) conducting evaluations and developing materials that document successful practices at charter schools and that are designed to improve student performance in other schools; and (E) training, regarding the innovative practices developed at the original site, for personnel of— (i) local educational agencies that are adopting innovations or successful practices used at charter schools; (ii) authorized public chartering agencies; or (iii) charter support organizations. ; and (4) in subsection (c) (as redesignated by paragraph (2))— (A) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking paragraphs (2) and (3)(B) of section 5211(b) section 5212 (B) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs (6) and (7), respectively; (C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following: (5) Special rule A State that provides public charter schools with access to existing adequate facility space may apply for a grant under this subsection, if the State agrees that the State will, upon receipt of the grant, develop a capital aid program consistent with the program described in this subsection during the grant period. ; and (D) in paragraph (7) (as redesignated by subparagraph (B)), by striking (A), (B), and (C) (A) through (F) 7. Federal formula allocation Section 5206 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7221e (1) by striking the section heading and inserting the following: 5206. Federal formula allocation ; and (2) in subsection (a), by inserting or is in operation actually opens 8. Credit enhancement Subpart 1 of part B of title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (as amended by this Act) ( 20 U.S.C. 7221 et seq. (1) by redesignating sections 5207 through 5211 as sections 5208 through 5212, respectively; and (2) by inserting after section 5206 the following: 5207. Credit enhancement for charter school facilities programs (a) Purpose The purpose of this section is to provide grants to eligible entities to permit the eligible entities to demonstrate innovative credit enhancement initiatives that assist charter schools to address the cost of acquiring, constructing, and renovating facilities. (b) Grants to eligible entities After reserving any funds as necessary for grant evaluation or administration consistent with any applicable provisions (including section 9601(a) of this Act and section 402(b)(1) of the Department of Education Organization Act), the Secretary shall use the amounts available to carry out this section to award, on a competitive basis, not less than 3 grants to eligible entities that have applications approved under this section to demonstrate innovative methods of assisting charter schools to address the cost of acquiring, constructing, and renovating facilities by enhancing the availability of loans or bond financing for charter schools. (c) Grantee selection (1) Evaluation of application The Secretary shall evaluate each application submitted under subsection (e), and shall determine whether the application is sufficient to merit approval. (2) Distribution of grants (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B) and paragraph (3), the Secretary shall award— (i) not less than 1 grant to an eligible entity described in section 5211(6)(A); (ii) not less than 1 grant to an eligible entity described in section 5211(6)(B); and (iii) not less than 1 grant to an eligible entity described in section 5211(6)(C). (B) Exception Subparagraph (A) shall only apply if applications are submitted that permit the Secretary to do so without approving an application that is not of sufficient quality to merit approval. (3) Special rule In the event the Secretary determines that the funds made available under this section are insufficient to permit the Secretary to award not less than 3 grants in accordance with this section, the 3-grant minimum under paragraph (2) shall not apply, and the Secretary may determine the appropriate number of grants to be awarded in accordance with subsection (d). (d) Grant characteristics Grants under this section shall be of a sufficient size, scope, and quality so as to ensure an effective demonstration of an innovative means of enhancing credit for the financing of charter school acquisition, construction, or renovation. (e) Applications (1) In general To receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form as the Secretary may reasonably require. (2) Contents An application submitted under paragraph (1) shall contain— (A) a statement identifying the activities proposed to be undertaken with funds received under this section, including how the eligible entity will determine which charter schools will receive assistance, and how much and what types of assistance charter schools will receive; (B) a description of the involvement of charter schools in the application's development and the design of the proposed activities; (C) a description of the eligible entity's expertise in capital market financing; (D) a description of how the proposed activities will leverage the maximum amount of private-sector financing capital relative to the amount of Federal and State funds used and otherwise enhance credit available to charter schools, including how the applicant will offer a combination of rates and terms more favorable than rates and terms that a charter school could receive without assistance under this section; (E) a description of how the eligible entity possesses sufficient expertise in education to evaluate the likelihood of success of a charter school program for which facilities financing is sought; (F) in the case of an application submitted by an eligible entity that is a State governmental entity, a description of the actions that the entity has taken, or will take, to ensure that charter schools within the State receive the funding needed to have adequate facilities; and (G) such other information as the Secretary may reasonably require. (f) Charter school objectives An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall use the funds deposited in the reserve account established under subsection (g)(1) to assist 1 or more charter schools to access private sector capital in order to accomplish one or more of the following objectives: (1) The acquisition (by purchase, lease, donation, or otherwise) of an interest (including an interest held by a third party for the benefit of a charter school) in improved or unimproved real property that is necessary to commence or continue the operation of a charter school. (2) The construction (including pre­development costs in a case where construction or renovation cannot proceed as a result of predevelopment findings) of new facilities, or the renovation, repair, or alteration of existing facilities, necessary to commence or continue the operation of a charter school. (g) Reserve account (1) Use of funds To assist charter schools to accomplish the objectives described in subsection (f), an eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall, in accordance with State and local law, directly or indirectly, alone or in collaboration with others, deposit the funds received under this section (other than funds used for administrative costs in accordance with subsection (h)) in a reserve account established and maintained by the eligible entity for this purpose. Amounts deposited in such account shall be used by the eligible entity for one or more of the following purposes: (A) Guaranteeing, insuring, and reinsuring bonds, notes, evidences of debt, loans, and interests therein, the proceeds of which are used for an objective described in subsection (f). (B) Guaranteeing and insuring leases of personal and real property for an objective described in subsection (f). (C) Facilitating financing by identifying potential lending sources, encouraging private lending, and other similar activities that directly promote lending to, or for the benefit of, charter schools. (D) Facilitating the issuance of bonds by charter schools, or by other public entities for the benefit of charter schools, by providing technical, administrative, and other appropriate assistance (including the recruitment of bond counsel, underwriters, and potential investors and the consolidation of multiple charter school projects within a single bond issue). (E) Making limited loans to charter schools, under such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe. (2) Investment Funds received under this section and deposited in the reserve account established under paragraph (1) shall be invested in obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States or a State, or in other similarly low-risk securities. (3) Reinvestment of earnings Any earnings on funds received under this section shall be deposited in the reserve account established under paragraph (1) and used in accordance with such paragraph. (h) Limitation on administrative costs An eligible entity may use not more than 2 percent of the funds received for any fiscal year under this section for the administrative costs of carrying out its responsibilities under this section. (i) Audits and reports (1) Financial record maintenance and audit The financial records of each eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall be maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and shall be subject to an annual audit by an independent public accountant. (2) Reports (A) Grantee annual reports Each eligible entity receiving a grant under this section annually shall submit to the Secretary a report of the eligible entity's operations and activities under this section. (B) Contents Each annual report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include— (i) a copy of the most recent financial statements, and any accompanying opinion on such statements, prepared by the independent public accountant reviewing the financial records of the eligible entity; (ii) a copy of any report made on an audit of the financial records of the eligible entity that was conducted under paragraph (1) during the reporting period; (iii) an evaluation by the eligible entity of the effectiveness of its use of the Federal funds provided under this section in leveraging private funds; (iv) a listing and description of the charter schools served during the reporting period; (v) a description of the activities carried out by the eligible entity to assist charter schools in meeting the objectives set forth in subsection (f); and (vi) a description of the characteristics of lenders and other financial institutions participating in the activities undertaken by the eligible entity under this section during the reporting period. (C) Secretarial report The Secretary shall review the reports submitted under paragraph (2)(A) and shall provide a comprehensive annual report to Congress on the activities conducted under this section. (j) No full faith and credit for grantee obligations No financial obligation of an eligible entity entered into pursuant to this section (such as an obligation under a guarantee, bond, note, evidence of debt, or loan) shall be an obligation of, or guaranteed in any respect by, the United States. The full faith and credit of the United States is not pledged to the payment of funds which may be required to be paid under any obligation made by an eligible entity pursuant to any provision of this section. (k) Recovery of funds (1) In general The Secretary, in accordance with chapter 37 (A) all of the funds in a reserve account established by an eligible entity under subsection (g)(1) if the Secretary determines, not earlier than 2 years after the date on which the eligible entity first received funds under this section, that the eligible entity has failed to make substantial progress in carrying out the purposes described in this section; or (B) all or a portion of the funds in a reserve account established by an eligible entity under subsection (g)(1) if the Secretary determines that the eligible entity has permanently ceased to use all or a portion of the funds in such account to accomplish any purpose described in this section. (2) Exercise of authority The Secretary shall not exercise the authority provided in paragraph (1) to collect from any eligible entity any funds that are being properly used to achieve one or more of the objectives described in subsection (f). (3) Procedures The provisions of sections 451, 452, and 458 of the General Education Provisions Act shall apply to the recovery of funds under paragraph (1). (4) Construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to impair or affect the authority of the Secretary to recover funds under part D of the General Education Provisions Act. (l) Reservation To carry out this section, the Secretary shall reserve for each fiscal year not less than 5 percent and not more than 15 percent of the amount appropriated under section 5212. . 9. Definitions Section 5211 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (as redesignated by section 8(1)) ( 20 U.S.C. 7221i (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) by striking subparagraph (L); (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) through (K) as subparagraphs (E) through (L), respectively; (C) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following: (D) has an independent governing board that enters into a performance-based agreement that encompasses one or more campuses with an authorized public chartering agency in the State, which agreement shall include a description of— (i) how student performance will be measured in each charter school pursuant to the State assessments that are required of other schools and any other assessments or evaluations mutually agreeable to the authorized public chartering agency and the charter school; and (ii) criteria for renewal or revocation of the charter; ; (D) in subparagraph (E) (as redesignated by subparagraph (B)), by striking elementary or secondary education, or both prekindergarten, elementary, or secondary education, or adult education if permitted by State charter law, or any combination of such types of education (E) in subparagraph (I) (as redesignated by subparagraph (B))— (i) by striking school to (i) to ; (ii) by striking children, and that (ii) that ; and (iii) by striking accommodated; (iii) that does not give admissions preference to any student on the basis of prior academic achievement; ; (F) in subparagraph (K) (as redesignated by subparagraph (B)), by inserting and (G) in subparagraph (L) (as redesignated by subparagraph (B)), by striking ; and (2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following: (3) Eligible applicant The term eligible applicant (A) a developer that has applied to an authorized public chartering agency to operate a charter school and provided adequate and timely notice to that authority under section 5203(d)(3); or (B) a charter support organization. ; (3) by adding at the end the following: (5) Charter support organization The term charter support organization (6) Eligible entity The term eligible entity (A) a public entity, such as a State educational agency or other State or local governmental entity; (B) a private nonprofit entity; or (C) a consortium of entities described in subparagraph (A) or (B). ; and (4) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (6) as paragraphs (2), (4), (5), (1), (3), and (6), respectively. 10. Authorization of appropriations Section 5212 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (as redesignated by section 8(1)) ( 20 U.S.C. 7221j 5212. Authorization of appropriations (a) In general There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subpart $650,000,000 for fiscal year 2015 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years. (b) Allocation In allocating funds under this subpart for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall consider the relative need between the programs under section 5202, section 5205(c), and section 5207 and the quality of the applications submitted under such sections. . 11. Reorganization Part B of title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7221 et seq. (1) by striking subpart 2; and (2) by redesignating subpart 3 as subpart 2. 12. Conforming amendments (a) Conforming amendment The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq. (1) in section 2102(2), by striking 5210 5211 (2) in section 5247(1), by striking 5210 5211 (b) Table of contents The table of contents in section 2 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 is amended— (1) by striking the items relating to sections 5206 through 5211 and inserting the following: Sec. 5206. Federal formula allocation. Sec. 5207. Credit enhancement for charter school facilities programs. Sec. 5208. Solicitation of input from charter school operators. Sec. 5209. Records transfer. Sec. 5210. Paperwork reduction. Sec. 5211. Definitions. Sec. 5212. Authorization of appropriations. ; (2) by striking the item relating to subpart 2 of part B of title V; (3) by striking the items relating to sections 5221 through 5231; and (4) by striking the item relating to subpart 3 of part B of title V and inserting the following: Subpart 2—Voluntary public school choice programs .

Summary: 21st Century Charter School Act - Amends the Charter School program of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Makes public and private nonprofit entities eligible for program grants. (Currently, state educational entities are eligible for such grants.) Allows grantees to award subgrants to charter school developers or nonprofit charter support organizations and award them multiple grants to support multiple campuses of a public charter school. Sets forth additional factors that are to work in favor of grant applicants, including that their state gives public charter schools funding commensurate with that provided to other public schools, has no cap on such schools, and gives the schools a high degree of autonomy. Authorizes the use of subgrants to plan and implement, or expand existing, public charter schools. Authorizes grantees to use a portion of the grant funds reserved for administrative expenses to improve public charter school authorizing policies and practices in their area. Expands the portion of funds grantees may use in establishing revolving loan funds for loans to subgrantees for planning and operating a public charter school. Requires each public charter school participating in the program to have an independent governing board that enters into a performance-based agreement with an authorized public chartering agency that describes: (1) how student performance will be measured pursuant to the state assessments required of other schools, and (2) the criteria for renewal or revocation of their charter. Prohibits such schools from giving admissions preference to any student on the basis of prior academic achievement. Establishes two new grant programs awarding grants to: (1) public charter schools, public and private nonprofit entities, charter school developers, and nonprofit charter support organizations to disseminate charter school innovations to other schools and states; and (2) public and private nonprofit entities to demonstrate innovative credit enhancement initiatives that assist public charter schools in covering the cost of acquiring, constructing, and renovating facilities.