Alabama Administrative Code › Title 290 - ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION › Chapter 290-3-6 - CHARTER SCHOOLS › Section 290-3-6-.02 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(1) ACT. The Alabama School Choice and
			 Student Opportunity Act, as amended, to provide for public charter
			 schools.
(2) APPLICANT. A group
			 with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or that has submitted an application for
			 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status that develops and submits an application for a
			 public charter school to an authorizer.
(3) APPLICATION. A proposal from an applicant
			 to an authorizer to enter into a charter contract whereby the proposed school
			 obtains public charter school status.
(4) AT-RISK STUDENT. A student who has an
			 economic or academic disadvantage that requires special services and assistance
			 to succeed in educational programs. The term includes, but is not limited to,
			 students who are members of economically disadvantaged families, students who
			 are identified as having special education needs, students who are limited in
			 English proficiency, students who are at risk of dropping out of high school,
			 and students who do not meet minimum standards of academic
			 proficiency.
(5) AUTHORIZER. An
			 entity authorized under the Act to review applications, approve or reject
			 applications, enter into charter contracts with applicants, oversee public
			 charter schools, and decide whether to renew, not renew, or revoke charter
			 contracts.
(6) CHARTER CONTRACT. A
			 fixed-term renewable contract between a public charter school and an authorizer
			 that outlines the roles, powers, responsibilities, and quantitative and
			 qualitative performance expectations for each party to the contract.
(7) COMMISSION. The Alabama Public Charter
			 School Commission.
(8) CONVERSION
			 PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL. A public charter school that existed as a non-charter
			 public school before becoming a public charter school. A conversion public
			 charter school shall adopt and maintain a policy giving enrollment preference
			 to students who reside within the former attendance zone of the public
			 school.
(9) DEPARTMENT. The Alabama
			 State Department of Education.
(10)
			 EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDER. An entity with which a public charter school
			 intends to contract with for educational design, implementation, or
			 comprehensive management. This relationship shall be articulated in the public
			 charter school application.
(11)
			 GOVERNING BOARD. The independent board of a public charter school that is party
			 to the charter contract with the authorizer. A governing board shall have at
			 least 20 percent of its membership be parents of students who attend or have
			 attended the public charter school for at least one academic year. Before the
			 first day of instruction, the 20 percent membership requirement may be
			 satisfied by parents who intend to have their students attend the public
			 charter school.
(12) CHARTER
			 OPERATOR. An entity with which a local school board authorizer has awarded a
			 contract to oversee the implementation of conversion charter schools.
(13) GUIDELINES. The guidance for public
			 charter schools issued by the Department.
(14) LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD. A city or county
			 board of education exercising management and control of a city or county local
			 school system pursuant to state law.
(15) LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM. A public agency
			 that establishes and supervises one or more public schools within its
			 geographical limits pursuant to state law. A local school system includes a
			 city or county school system.
(16)
			 NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AUTHORIZING STANDARDS. Standards for high quality public
			 charter school issued by the National Association of Charter School
			 Authorizers.
(17) NON-CHARTER
			 PUBLIC SCHOOL. A public school other than a school formed pursuant to the Act.
			 A public school that is under the direct management, governance, and control of
			 a local school board or the state.
(18) PARENT. A parent, guardian, or other
			 person or entity having legal custody of a child.
(19) PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL. A public school
			 formed pursuant to the Act.
(20)
			 RESIDENCE. The domicile of the student's custodial parent.
(21) START-UP PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL. A public
			 charter school that did not exist as a non-charter public school prior to
			 becoming a public charter school.
(22) STUDENT. Any child who is eligible for
			 attendance in public schools in the state.
(23) STATE SUPERINTENDENT. The State
			 Superintendent of Education.
Author:
Thomas R. Bice; Dr. Eric G.
				  Mackey
Statutory Authority:
Code of Ala.
				  1975
, §§
										16-4-7, 16-6F-9; Act No. 2023-420;
				  Administrative Code Rules 290-1-1-.05 and 290-1-1-.030.