Success and Opportunity through Quality Charter Schools Act

To amend the charter school program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Success and Opportunity through Quality Charter Schools Act 2. References Except as otherwise specifically provided, whenever in this Act a section or other provision is amended or repealed, such amendment or repeal shall be considered to be made to that section or other provision of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq. 3. Subpart heading; Purpose (a) Subpart heading The heading for subpart 1 of part B of title V ( 20 U.S.C. 7221 et seq. Charter school program (b) Purpose Section 5201 ( 20 U.S.C. 7221 5201. Purpose It is the purpose of this subpart to— (1) improve the United States education system and education opportunities for all Americans by supporting innovation in public education in public school settings that prepare students to compete and contribute to the global economy; (2) provide financial assistance for the planning, program design, and initial implementation of charter schools; (3) expand the number of high-quality charter schools available to students across the Nation; (4) evaluate the impact of such schools on student achievement, families, and communities, and share best practices between charter schools and other public schools; (5) encourage States to provide support to charter schools for facilities financing in an amount more nearly commensurate to the amount the States have typically provided for traditional public schools; (6) improve student services to increase opportunities for students with disabilities, limited English proficient students, and other traditionally underserved students to attend charter schools and meet challenging State academic achievement standards; (7) support efforts to strengthen the charter school authorizing process to improve performance management, including transparency, oversight, monitoring, and evaluation of such schools; and (8) support quality accountability and transparency in the operational performance of all authorized public chartering agencies, which include State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and other authorizing entities. . 4. Program authorized Section 5202 ( 20 U.S.C. 7221a 5202. Program authorized (a) In general This subpart authorizes the Secretary to carry out a charter school program that supports charter schools that serve elementary school and secondary school students by— (1) supporting the startup of charter schools, and the replication and expansion of high-quality charter schools; (2) assisting charter schools in accessing credit to acquire and renovate facilities for school use; and (3) carrying out national activities to support— (A) charter school development; (B) the dissemination of best practices of charter schools for all schools; (C) the evaluation of the impact of the program on schools participating in the program; and (D) stronger charter school authorizing. (b) Funding Allotment From the amount made available under section 5211 for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall— (1) reserve 12.5 percent to support charter school facilities assistance under section 5204; (2) reserve not more than 10 percent to carry out national activities under section 5205; and (3) use the remaining amount after the Secretary reserves funds under paragraphs (1) and (2) to carry out section 5203. (c) Prior grants and subgrants The recipient of a grant or subgrant under this subpart or subpart 2, as such subpart was in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Success and Opportunity through Quality Charter Schools Act . 5. Grants to support high-quality charter schools Section 5203 ( 20 U.S.C. 7221b 5203. Grants to support high-quality charter schools (a) In general From the amount reserved under section 5202(b)(3), the Secretary shall award grants to State entities having applications approved pursuant to subsection (f) to enable such entities to— (1) award subgrants to eligible applicants for opening and preparing to operate— (A) new charter schools; (B) replicated, high-quality charter school models; or (C) expanded, high-quality charter schools; and (2) provide technical assistance to eligible applicants and authorized public chartering agencies in carrying out the activities described in paragraph (1) and work with authorized public chartering agencies in the State to improve authorizing quality. (b) State uses of funds (1) In general A State entity receiving a grant under this section shall— (A) use not less than 90 percent of the grant funds to award subgrants to eligible applicants, in accordance with the quality charter school program described in the State entity’s application approved pursuant to subsection (f), for the purposes described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of subsection (a)(1); (B) reserve not less than 7 percent of such funds to carry out the activities described in subsection (a)(2); and (C) reserve not more than 3 percent of such funds for administrative costs which may include technical assistance. (2) Contracts and grants A State entity may use a grant received under this section to carry out the activities described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) directly or through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements. (3) Rule of construction Nothing in this Act shall prohibit the Secretary from awarding grants to States that use a weighted lottery to give slightly better chances for admission to all, or a subset of, educationally disadvantaged students if— (A) the use of weighted lotteries in favor of such students is not prohibited by State law, and such State law is consistent with laws described in section 5210(1)(G); and (B) such weighted lotteries are not used for the purpose of creating schools exclusively to serve a particular subset of students. (c) Program periods; peer review; grant number and amount; diversity of projects; waivers (1) Program periods (A) Grants A grant awarded by the Secretary to a State entity under this section shall be for a period of not more than 5 years. (B) Subgrants A subgrant awarded by a State entity under this section shall be for a period of not more than 5 years, of which an eligible applicant may use not more than 18 months for planning and program design. (2) Peer Review The Secretary, and each State entity receiving a grant under this section, shall use a peer review process to review applications for assistance under this section. (3) Grant awards The Secretary shall— (A) for each fiscal year for which funds are appropriated under section 5211— (i) award not less than 3 grants under this section; (ii) wholly fund each grant awarded under this section, without making continuation awards; and (iii) fully obligate the funds appropriated for the purpose of awarding grants under this section in the fiscal year for which such grants are awarded; and (B) midway through the grant period of each grant awarded under this section to a State entity, review the grant to determine whether the State entity will meet the agreed upon uses of funds in the State entity’s application, and if not, reallot the grant funds that will not be used for such agreed upon uses of funds to other State entities during the succeeding grant competition under this section. (4) Diversity of Projects Each State entity receiving a grant under this section shall award subgrants under this section in a manner that, to the extent possible, ensures that such subgrants— (A) are distributed throughout different areas, including urban, suburban, and rural areas; and (B) will assist charter schools representing a variety of educational approaches. (5) Waivers The Secretary may waive any statutory or regulatory requirement over which the Secretary exercises administrative authority except any such requirement relating to the elements of a charter school described in section 5210(1), if— (A) the waiver is requested in an approved application under this section; and (B) the Secretary determines that granting such a waiver will promote the purpose of this subpart. (d) Limitations (1) Grants A State entity may not receive more than 1 grant under this section for a 5-year period. (2) Subgrants An eligible applicant may not receive more than 1 subgrant under this section per individual charter school for a 5-year period, unless the eligible applicant demonstrates to the State entity not less than 3 years of improved educational results in the areas described in subparagraphs (A) and (D) of section 5210(8) for students enrolled in such charter school. (e) Applications A State entity desiring to receive a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. The application shall include the following: (1) Description of Program A description of the State entity’s objectives under this section and how the objectives of the program will be carried out, including a description— (A) of how the State entity— (i) will support the opening of new charter schools, replicated, high-quality charter school models, or expanded, high-quality charter schools, and a description of the proposed number of each type of charter school or model, if applicable, to be opened under the State entity’s program; (ii) will inform eligible charter schools, developers, and authorized public chartering agencies of the availability of funds under the program; (iii) will work with eligible applicants to ensure that the eligible applicants access all Federal funds that they are eligible to receive, and help the charter schools supported by the applicants and the students attending the charter schools— (I) participate in the Federal programs in which the schools and students are eligible to participate; (II) receive the commensurate share of Federal funds the schools and students are eligible to receive under such programs; and (III) meet the needs of students served under such programs, including student with disabilities and English learners; (iv) will have clear plans and procedures to assist students enrolled in a charter school that closes or loses its charter to attend other high-quality schools; (v) in the case in which the State entity is not a State educational agency— (I) will work with the State educational agency and the charter schools in the State to maximize charter school participation in Federal and State programs for charter schools; and (II) will work with the State educational agency to adequately operate the State entity’s program under this section, where applicable; (vi) will ensure each eligible applicant that receives a subgrant under the State entity’s program to open and prepare to operate a new charter school, a replicated, high-quality charter school model, or an expanded, high-quality charter school— (I) will ensure such school or model meets the requirements under section 5210(1); and (II) is prepared to continue to operate such school or model, in a manner consistent with the eligible applicant’s application, after the subgrant funds have expired; (vii) will support charter schools in local educational agencies with large numbers of schools identified by the State for improvement; (viii) will work with charter schools to promote inclusion of all students and support all students once they are enrolled to promote retention; (ix) will work with charter schools on recruitment practices, including efforts to engage groups that may otherwise have limited opportunities to participate in charter schools, and to ensure such schools do not have in effect policies or procedures that may create barriers to enrollment of students, including educationally disadvantaged students, and are in compliance with all Federal and State laws on enrollment practices; (x) will share best and promising practices between charter schools and other public schools, including, where appropriate, instruction and professional development in core academic subjects, and science, technology, engineering, and math education, including computer science; (xi) will ensure the charter schools receiving funds under the State entity’s program meet the educational needs of their students, including students with disabilities and English learners; (xii) will support efforts to increase quality initiatives, including meeting the quality authorizing elements described in paragraph (2)(E); (xiii) in the case of a State entity not described in clause (xiv), will provide oversight of authorizing activity, including how the State will approve, actively monitor, and re-approve or revoke the authority of an authorized public chartering agency based on the performance of the charter schools authorized by such agency in the areas of student achievement, student safety, financial management, and compliance with all applicable statutes and regulations; and (xiv) in the case of a State entity defined in subsection (i)(4), will work with the State to provide assistance to and oversight of authorized public chartering agencies for authorizing activity described in clause (xiii); (B) of the extent to which the State entity— (i) is able to meet and carry out the priorities listed in subsection (f)(2); and (ii) is working to develop or strengthen a cohesive statewide system to support the opening of new charter schools, replicated, high-quality charter school models, or expanded, high-quality charter schools; (C) of how the State entity will carry out the subgrant competition, including— (i) a description of the application each eligible applicant desiring to receive a subgrant will submit, including— (I) a description of the roles and responsibilities of eligible applicants, partner organizations, and management organizations, including the administrative and contractual roles and responsibilities; (II) a description of the quality controls agreed to between the eligible applicant and the authorized public chartering agency involved, such as a contract or performance agreement, how a school’s performance in the State’s academic accountability system will be a primary factor for renewal or revocation of the school’s charter, and how the State entity and the authorized public chartering agency involved will reserve the right to revoke or not renew a school’s charter based on financial, structural, or operational factors involving the management of the school; (III) a description of how the eligible applicant will solicit and consider input from parents and other members of the community on the implementation and operation of each charter school receiving funds under the State entity’s program; and (IV) a description of the planned activities and expenditures for the subgrant funds for purposes of opening and preparing to operate a new charter school, a replicated, high-quality charter school model, or an expanded, high-quality charter school, and how the school or model will maintain financial sustainability after the end of the subgrant period; and (ii) a description of how the State entity will review applications; (D) in the case of an entity that partners with an outside organization to carry out the State entity’s quality charter school program, in whole or in part, of the roles and responsibilities of this partner; (E) of how the State entity will help the charter schools receiving funds under the State entity’s program consider the transportation needs of the schools’ students; and (F) of how the State entity will support diverse charter school models, including models that serve rural communities. (2) Assurances Assurances, including a description of how the assurances will be met, that— (A) each charter school receiving funds under the State entity’s program will have a high degree of autonomy over budget and operations; (B) the State entity will support charter schools in meeting the educational needs of their students as described in paragraph (1)(A)(x); (C) the State entity will ensure that the authorized public chartering agency of any charter school that receives funds under the State entity’s program— (i) adequately monitors each charter school in recruiting, enrolling, and meeting the needs of all students, including students with disabilities and English learners; and (ii) ensures that each charter school solicits and considers input from parents and other members of the community on the implementation and operation of the school; (D) the State entity will provide adequate technical assistance to eligible applicants to— (i) meet the objectives described in clauses (vii) and (viii) of paragraph (1)(A) and paragraph (2)(B); and (ii) recruit, enroll, and retain traditionally underserved students, including students with disabilities and English learners, at rates similar to traditional public schools; (E) the State entity will promote quality authorizing, such as through providing technical assistance and supporting all authorized public chartering agencies in the State to improve the oversight of their charter schools, including by— (i) assessing annual performance data of the schools, including, as appropriate, graduation rates and student academic growth; (ii) reviewing the schools’ independent, annual audits of financial statements conducted in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and ensuring any such audits are publically reported; and (iii) holding charter schools accountable to the academic, financial, and operational quality controls agreed to between the charter school and the authorized public chartering agency involved, such as through renewal, non-renewal, or revocation of the school’s charter; (F) the State entity will work to ensure that charter schools are included with the traditional public schools in decision-making about the public school system in the State; and (G) the State entity will ensure that each charter school in the State make publicly available, consistent with the dissemination requirements of the annual State report card, information to help parents make informed decisions about the education options available to their children, including information on the educational program, student support services, and annual performance and enrollment data for the groups of students described in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(v)(II). (3) Requests for waivers A request and justification for waivers of any Federal statutory or regulatory provisions that the State entity believes are necessary for the successful operation of the charter schools that will receive funds under the State entity’s program under this section, and a description of any State or local rules, generally applicable to public schools, that will be waived, or otherwise not apply to such schools or, in the case of a State entity defined in subsection (i)(4), a description of how the State entity will work with the State to request necessary waivers where applicable. (f) Selection criteria; priority (1) Selection criteria The Secretary shall award grants to State entities under this section on the basis of the quality of the applications submitted under subsection (e), after taking into consideration— (A) the degree of flexibility afforded by the State’s public charter school law and how the State entity will work to maximize the flexibility provided to charter schools under the law; (B) the ambitiousness of the State entity’s objectives for the quality charter school program carried out under this section; (C) the quality of the strategy for assessing achievement of those objectives; (D) the likelihood that the eligible applicants receiving subgrants under the program will meet those objectives and improve educational results for students; (E) the State entity’s plan to— (i) adequately monitor the eligible applicants receiving subgrants under the State entity’s program; (ii) work with the authorized public chartering agencies involved to avoid duplication of work for the charter schools and authorized public chartering agencies; and (iii) provide adequate technical assistance and support for— (I) the charter schools receiving funds under the State entity’s program; and (II) quality authorizing efforts in the State; and (F) the State entity’s plan to solicit and consider input from parents and other members of the community on the implementation and operation of the charter schools in the State. (2) Priority In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to State entities to the extent that they meet the following criteria: (A) In the case of a State entity located in a State that allows an entity other than a local educational agency to be an authorized public chartering agency, the State has a quality authorized public chartering agency that is an entity other than a local educational agency. (B) The State entity is located in a State that does not impose any limitation on the number or percentage of charter schools that may exist or the number or percentage of students that may attend charter schools in the State. (C) The State entity is located in a State that ensures equitable financing, as compared to traditional public schools, for charter schools and students in a prompt manner. (D) The State entity is located in a State that uses charter schools and best practices from charter schools to help improve struggling schools and local educational agencies. (E) The State entity partners with an organization that has a demonstrated record of success in developing management organizations to support the development of charter schools in the State. (F) The State entity supports charter schools that support at-risk students through activities such as dropout prevention or dropout recovery. (G) The State entity authorizes all charter schools in the State to serve as school food authorities. (H) The State entity has taken steps to ensure that all authorizing public chartering agencies implement best practices for charter school authorizing. (g) Local uses of funds An eligible applicant receiving a subgrant under this section shall use such funds to carry out activities related to opening and preparing to operate a new charter school, a replicated, high-quality charter school model, or an expanded, high-quality charter school, such as— (1) preparing teachers and school leaders, including through professional development; (2) acquiring equipment, educational materials, and supplies; and (3) necessary renovations and minor facilities repairs (excluding construction). (h) Reporting requirements Each State entity receiving a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary, at the end of the third year of the 5-year grant period and at the end of such grant period, a report on— (1) the number of students served by each subgrant awarded under this section and, if applicable, how many new students were served during each year of the subgrant period; (2) the progress the State entity made toward meeting the priorities described in subsection (f)(2), as applicable; (3) how the State entity met the objectives of the quality charter school program described in the State entity’s application under subsection (e); (4) how the State entity complied with, and ensured that eligible applicants complied with, the assurances described in the State entity’s application; (5) how the State entity worked with authorized public chartering agencies, including how the agencies worked with the management company or leadership of the schools that received subgrants under this section; and (6) the number of subgrants awarded under this section to carry out each of the following: (A) The opening of new charter schools. (B) The opening of replicated, high-quality charter school models. (C) The opening of expanded, high-quality charter schools. (i) State entity defined For purposes of this section, the term State entity (1) a State educational agency; (2) a State charter school board; (3) a Governor of a State; or (4) a charter school support organization. . 6. Facilities Financing Assistance Section 5204 ( 20 U.S.C. 7221c 5204. Facilities Financing Assistance (a) Grants to eligible entities (1) In general From the amount reserved under section 5202(b)(1), the Secretary shall not use less than 50 percent to award grants to eligible entities that have the highest-quality applications approved under subsection (d), after considering the diversity of such applications, 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. (2) Eligible entity defined For purposes of this section, the term eligible entity (A) a public entity, such as a State or local governmental entity; (B) a private nonprofit entity; or (C) a consortium of entities described in subparagraphs (A) and (B). (b) Grantee Selection The Secretary shall evaluate each application submitted under subsection (d), and shall determine whether the application is sufficient to merit approval. (c) Grant Characteristics Grants under subsection (a) 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. (d) Applications (1) In general To receive a grant under subsection (a), 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 subsection (a), 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 public funding used and otherwise enhance credit available to charter schools, including how the eligible entity will offer a combination of rates and terms more favorable than the rates and terms that a charter school could receive without assistance from the eligible entity 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; and (F) in the case of an application submitted by 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 the charter schools need to have adequate facilities. (e) Charter school objectives An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall use the funds deposited in the reserve account established under subsection (f) to assist one or more charter schools to access private sector capital 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 of new facilities, or the renovation, repair, or alteration of existing facilities, necessary to commence or continue the operation of a charter school. (3) The predevelopment costs required to assess sites for purposes of paragraph (1) or (2) and which are necessary to commence or continue the operation of a charter school. (f) Reserve account (1) Use of funds To assist charter schools to accomplish the objectives described in subsection (e), an eligible entity receiving a grant under subsection (a) shall, in accordance with State and local law, directly or indirectly, alone or in collaboration with others, deposit the funds received under subsection (a) (other than funds used for administrative costs in accordance with subsection (g)) 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 (e). (B) Guaranteeing and insuring leases of personal and real property for an objective described in subsection (e). (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). (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 subsection (a) shall be deposited in the reserve account established under paragraph (1) and used in accordance with such paragraph. (g) Limitation on administrative costs An eligible entity may use not more than 2.5 percent of the funds received under subsection (a) for the administrative costs of carrying out its responsibilities under this section (excluding subsection (k)). (h) Audits and reports (1) Financial Record Maintenance and Audit The financial records of each eligible entity receiving a grant under subsection (a) 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 subsection (a) annually shall submit to the Secretary a report of its 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 subsection (a) in leveraging private funds; (iv) a listing and description of the charter schools served during the reporting period, including the amount of funds used by each school, the type of project facilitated by the grant, and the type of assistance provided to the charter schools; (v) a description of the activities carried out by the eligible entity to assist charter schools in meeting the objectives set forth in subsection (e); 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 (excluding subsection (k)) during the reporting period. (C) Secretarial report The Secretary shall review the reports submitted under subparagraph (A) and shall provide a comprehensive annual report to Congress on the activities conducted under this section (excluding subsection (k)). (i) No full faith and credit for grantee obligation 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. (j) 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 (f)(1) if the Secretary determines, not earlier than 2 years after the date on which the eligible entity first received funds under this section (excluding subsection (k)), that the eligible entity has failed to make substantial progress in carrying out the purposes described in subsection (f)(1); or (B) all or a portion of the funds in a reserve account established by an eligible entity under subsection (f)(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 subsection (f)(1). (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 purposes described in subsection (f)(1). (3) Procedures The provisions of sections 451, 452, and 458 of the General Education Provisions Act 20 U.S.C. 124 (4) Construction This subsection shall not be construed to impair or affect the authority of the Secretary to recover funds under part D of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1234 et seq.). (k) Per-pupil facilities aid program (1) Definition of per-pupil facilities aid program In this subsection, the term per-pupil facilities aid program (A) that is dedicated solely for funding charter school facilities; or (B) a portion of which is dedicated for funding charter school facilities. (2) Grants (A) In general From the amount under section 5202(b)(1) remaining after the Secretary makes grants under subsection (a), the Secretary shall make grants, on a competitive basis, to States to pay for the Federal share of the cost of establishing or enhancing, and administering per-pupil facilities aid programs. (B) Period The Secretary shall award grants under this subsection for periods of not more than 5 years. (C) Federal share The Federal share of the cost described in subparagraph (A) for a per-pupil facilities aid program shall be not more than— (i) 90 percent of the cost, for the first fiscal year for which the program receives assistance under this subsection; (ii) 80 percent in the second such year; (iii) 60 percent in the third such year; (iv) 40 percent in the fourth such year; and (v) 20 percent in the fifth such year. (D) State share A State receiving a grant under this subsection may partner with 1 or more organizations to provide up to 50 percent of the State share of the cost of establishing or enhancing, and administering the per-pupil facilities aid program. (E) Multiple grants A State may receive more than 1 grant under this subsection, so long as the amount of such funds provided to charter schools increases with each successive grant. (3) Use of funds (A) In general A State that receives a grant under this subsection shall use the funds made available through the grant to establish or enhance, and administer, a per-pupil facilities aid program for charter schools in the State of the applicant. (B) Evaluations; technical assistance; dissemination From the amount made available to a State through a grant under this subsection for a fiscal year, the State may reserve not more than 5 percent to carry out evaluations, to provide technical assistance, and to disseminate information. (C) Supplement, not supplant Funds made available under this subsection shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, State and local public funds expended to provide per pupil facilities aid programs, operations financing programs, or other programs, for charter schools. (4) Requirements (A) Voluntary participation No State may be required to participate in a program carried out under this subsection. (B) State law (i) In general Except as provided in clause (ii), to be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, a State shall establish or enhance, and administer, a per-pupil facilities aid program for charter schools in the State, that— (I) is specified in State law; and (II) provides annual financing, on a per-pupil basis, for charter school facilities. (ii) Special Rule Notwithstanding clause (i), a State that is required under State law to provide its charter schools with access to adequate facility space, but which does not have a per-pupil facilities aid program for charter schools specified in State law, may be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection if the State agrees to use the funds to develop a per-pupil facilities aid program consistent with the requirements of this subsection. (5) Applications To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, a State shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. . 7. National activities Section 5205 ( 20 U.S.C. 7221d 5205. National Activities (a) In general From the amount reserved under section 5202(b)(2), the Secretary shall— (1) use not less than 75 percent of such funds to award grants in accordance with subsection (b); and (2) use not more than 25 percent of such funds to— (A) provide technical assistance to State entities in awarding subgrants under section 5203, and eligible entities and States receiving grants under section 5204; (B) disseminate best practices; and (C) evaluate the impact of the charter school program, including the impact on student achievement, carried out under this subpart. (b) Grants (1) In general The Secretary shall make grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible applicants for the purpose of carrying out the activities described in section 5202(a)(1), subparagraphs (A) through (C) of section 5203(a)(1), and section 5203(g). (2) Terms and conditions Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, grants awarded under this subsection shall have the same terms and conditions as grants awarded to State entities under section 5203. (3) Charter management organizations The Secretary shall— (A) use not less than 75 percent of the funds described in subsection (a)(1) to make grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible applicants described in paragraph (4)(C); and (B) notwithstanding paragraphs (1)(A) and (2) of section 5203(f)— (i) award grants to eligible applicants on the basis of the quality of the applications submitted under this subsection; and (ii) in awarding grants to eligible applicants described in paragraph (4)(C), give priority to each such eligible applicant that— (I) demonstrates a high proportion of high-quality charter schools within the network of the eligible applicant; (II) demonstrates success in serving students who are educationally disadvantaged; (III) does not have a significant proportion of charter schools that have been closed, had their charter revoked for compliance issues, or had their affiliation with such eligible applicant revoked; (IV) has sufficient procedures in effect to ensure timely closure of low-performing or financially-mismanaged charter schools and clear plans and procedures in effect for the students in such schools to attend other high-quality schools; and (V) demonstrates success in working with schools identified for improvement by the State. (4) Eligible applicant defined For purposes of this subsection, the term eligible applicant (A) desires to open a charter school in— (i) a State that did not apply for a grant under section 5203; or (ii) a State that did not receive a grant under section 5203; or (B) is a charter management organization. (c) Contracts and grants The Secretary may carry out any of the activities described in this section directly or through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements. . 8. Records transfer Section 5208 ( 20 U.S.C. 7221g (1) by inserting as quickly as possible and to the extent practicable (2) by striking section 602 section 602(14) 9. Definitions Section 5210 ( 20 U.S.C. 7221i (1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: (1) Charter school The term charter school (A) in accordance with a specific State statute authorizing the granting of charters to schools, is exempt from significant State or local rules that inhibit the flexible operation and management of public schools, but not from any rules relating to the other requirements of this paragraph; (B) is created by a developer as a public school, or is adapted by a developer from an existing public school, and is operated under public supervision and direction; (C) operates in pursuit of a specific set of educational objectives determined by the school’s developer and agreed to by the authorized public chartering agency; (D) provides a program of elementary or secondary education, or both; (E) is nonsectarian in its programs, admissions policies, employment practices, and all other operations, and is not affiliated with a sectarian school or religious institution; (F) does not charge tuition; (G) complies with the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq. 20 U.S.C. 1232(g) Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (H) is a school to which parents choose to send their children, and admits students on the basis of a lottery if more students apply for admission than can be accommodated, except that in cases in which students who are enrolled in a charter school affiliated (such as by sharing a network) with another charter school, those students may be automatically enrolled in the next grade level at such other charter school, so long as a lottery is used to fill seats created through regular attrition in student enrollment; (I) agrees to comply with the same Federal and State audit requirements as do other elementary schools and secondary schools in the State, unless such State audit requirements are waived by the State; (J) meets all applicable Federal, State, and local health and safety requirements; (K) operates in accordance with State law; (L) has a written performance contract with the authorized public chartering agency in the State that includes a description of how student performance will be measured in charter schools pursuant to State assessments that are required of other schools and pursuant to any other assessments mutually agreeable to the authorized public chartering agency and the charter school; and (M) may serve prekindergarten or postsecondary students. ; (2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as paragraphs (4) through (6), respectively; (3) by inserting after paragraph (1), the following: (2) Charter management organization The term charter management organization (3) Charter school support organization The term charter school support organization (A) assistance to developers during the planning, program design, and initial implementation of a charter school; and (B) technical assistance to charter schools to operate such schools. ; (4) in paragraph (5)(B), as so redesignated, by striking under section 5203(d)(3) (5) by adding at the end the following: (7) Expanded, high-quality charter school The term expanded, high-quality charter school (8) High-quality charter school The term high-quality charter school (A) shows evidence of strong academic results, which may include strong academic growth as determined by a State; (B) has no significant issues in the areas of student safety, operational and financial management, or statutory or regulatory compliance; (C) has demonstrated success in significantly increasing student academic achievement, including graduation rates where applicable, consistent with the requirements under title I, for all students served by the charter school; and (D) has demonstrated success in increasing student academic achievement, including graduation rates where applicable, for the groups of students described in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(v)(II), except that such demonstration is not required in a case in which the number of students in a group is insufficient to yield statistically reliable information or the results would reveal personally identifiable information about an individual student. (9) Replicated, high-quality charter school model The term replicated, high-quality charter school model . 10. Authorization of appropriations Section 5211 ( 20 U.S.C. 7221j 5211. Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subpart $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2015 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years. . 11. Conforming amendments (a) Repeal Subpart 2 of part B of title V ( 20 U.S.C. 7223 et seq. (b) Table of contents The table of contents in section 2 is amended— (1) by striking the item relating to subpart 1 of part B of title V and inserting the following: Subpart 1—Charter School Program ; (2) by striking the item relating to section 5203 and inserting the following: Sec. 5203. Grants to support high-quality charter schools. ; (3) by striking the item relating to section 5204 and inserting the following: Sec. 5204. Facilities financing assistance. ; and (4) by striking the items relating to subpart 2 of part B of title V. April 29, 2014 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Summary: Success and Opportunity through Quality Charter Schools Act - (Sec. 4) Revises subpart 1 (Charter School Program) of part B (Public Charter Schools) of title V (Promoting Informed Parental Choice and Innovative Programs) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. (Sec. 5) Replaces the current charter school grant program with a program awarding grants to state entities (state educational agencies, state charter school boards, Governors, or charter school support organizations) and, through them, subgrants to charter school developers to open new charter schools and expand and replicate high-quality charter schools. Requires grantees to use at least 7% of grant funds: (1) to provide technical assistance to subgrantees and authorized public chartering agencies, and (2) work with those agencies to improve the charter school authorization process. Prohibits grantees from reserving more than 3% of the grant funds for administrative costs. Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to submit a report to the Secretary of Education and Congress, within three years of this Act's enactment, examining the appropriateness of that level of authorized funding for administrative costs. Limits the duration of charter school grants and subgrants to no more than five years. Gives subgrantees no more than 18 months to plan and design their programs. Prohibits the Secretary from awarding a charter school grant to a state entity if such award would result in more than one charter school grant being carried out in a state at the same time. Limits subgrantees to no more than one subgrant per charter school over a five-year period, unless the subgrantee demonstrates at least three years of improved educational results for students enrolled in the applicable charter school. Requires the Secretary and each grantee to use a peer review process to review applications for charter school grants and subgrants. Requires grantees to award subgrants in a manner that ensures, to the extent possible, that subgrants are distributed to different areas and assist charter schools representing a variety of educational approaches. Permits the Secretary to waive certain statutory or regulatory requirements if the waiver is requested by a grant applicant and promotes the purpose of the Charter School program without tampering with what is definitionally required of charter schools. Directs the Secretary to give priority to grant applicants to the extent that they are from states that: have a quality authorized public chartering agency that is not a local educational agency (LEA), if the state allows entities other than LEAs to be authorized public chartering agencies; do not impose any limitation on the number or percentage of charter schools that may exist or the number or percentage of students that may attend charter schools; ensure equitable financing, as compared to traditional public schools, for charter schools and students in a prompt manner; and use charter schools and best practices from charter schools to help improve struggling schools and LEAs. Directs the Secretary to give priority to grant applicants also to the extent that they: partner with an organization experienced in developing management organizations to support charter school development, support charter schools that support at-risk students, authorize all their charter schools to serve as school food authorities, and take steps to ensure that all authorizing public chartering agencies implement best practices for charter school authorizing. (Sec. 6) Subsumes subpart 2 (Credit Enhancement Initiatives to Assist Charter School Facility Acquisition, Construction, and Renovation) of part B of title V under subpart 1. (Under subpart 2, the Secretary awards grants to public entities and private nonprofit entities to demonstrate innovative means of enhancing credit to finance the acquisition, construction, or renovation of charter schools.) Requires the Secretary to award credit enhancement grants to applicants that have the highest-quality applications after considering the diversity of such applications. (Currently, the Secretary is required to award at least three grants, including at least one to a public entity, one to a private nonprofit entity, and one to a consortium of such entities, provided an application from each merits approval.) Prohibits grant recipients from using more than 2.5% (currently, 0.25%) of their grant for administrative costs. Revises the per-pupil facilities aid program (under which the Secretary makes competitive matching grants to states to provide per-pupil financing to charter schools) to allow states to: (1) partner with organizations to provide up to 50% of the state share of funding for the program; and (2) receive more than one program grant, so long as the amount of the grant funds provided to charter schools increases with each successive grant. Allows states that are required by state law to provide charter schools with access to adequate facility space to qualify for a grant under the program even if they do not have a per-pupil facilities aid program for charter schools specified in state law, provided they agree to use the funds to develop such a program. (Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary to conduct national activities that include: providing state entities with technical assistance in awarding subgrants to charter school developers; providing technical assistance to grantees under the credit enhancement and per-pupil facilities aid programs; disseminating best practices; evaluating the charter school program's impact, including its impact on student achievement; and awarding competitive grants directly to charter school developers (in states that have not applied for or received a charter school grant) and to charter management organizations to open, replicate, and expand charter schools. (Sec. 8) Requires states and LEAs to ensure that a student's records are transferred as quickly as possible to a charter school or another public school when the student transfers from one such school to the other. (Sec. 9) Allows charter schools to serve prekindergarten or postsecondary school students. Defines a "charter management organization" as a nonprofit organization that manages a network of charter schools linked by centralized support, operations, and oversight. (Sec. 10) Reauthorizes appropriations under subpart 1 through FY2020. Directs the Secretary to use: (1) 12.5% of such funding for credit enhancement grants and the per-pupil facilities aid program, (2) up to 10% of such funding for the Secretary's national activities, and (3) the remaining funds for the charter school grant program.