Note: This version of section amended by P.L.143-2019, SEC.16, effective 4-30-2019. See also following version of this section amended by P.L.159-2019, SEC.3, effective 7-1-2019.

Sec. 2. (a) The minimum standard for renewal and the standard to avoid closure imposed by authorizers on a charter school is a requirement that the charter school not remain in the lowest category or designation of school improvement, including any alternative accountability category or designation, in the third year after initial placement in the lowest category or designation established under IC 20-31-8-4.

(b) An authorizer of a charter school that does not meet the minimum standard for charter school renewal described in subsection (a) may petition the state board at any time to request permission to renew the charter school's charter notwithstanding the fact that the charter school does not meet the minimum standard. If timely notification is made, the state board shall hold a hearing to consider the authorizer's request at the state board's next regularly scheduled board meeting.

(c) In determining whether to grant a request under subsection (b), the state board shall consider the following:

(1) Enrollment of students with special challenges, such as drug or alcohol addiction, prior withdrawal from school, prior incarceration, or other special circumstances.

(2) High mobility of the student population resulting from the specific purpose of the charter school.

(3) Annual improvement in the performance of students enrolled in the charter school, as measured under IC 20-31-8, compared with the performance of students enrolled in the charter school in the immediately preceding school year.

(d) After the hearing, the state board must implement one (1) or more of the following actions:

(1) Grant the authorizer's request to renew the charter of the charter school. The state board may determine the length of the renewal and any conditions of the renewal placed upon either the charter school or the authorizer.

(2) Order the closure of the charter school at the end of the current school year.

(3) Order the reduction of any administrative fee collected under IC 20-24-7-4 that is applicable to the charter school identified in subsection (b). The reduction must become effective at the beginning of the month following the month of the authorizer's hearing before the state board.

A charter school that is closed by the state board under this section may not be granted a charter by any authorizer.

As added by P.L.91-2011, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.280-2013, SEC.13; P.L.250-2017, SEC.4; P.L.143-2019, SEC.16.

Note: This version of section amended by P.L.159-2019, SEC.3, effective 7-1-2019. See also preceding version of this section amended by P.L.143-2019, SEC.16, effective 4-30-2019.

Sec. 2. (a) The minimum standard for renewal and the standard to avoid closure imposed by authorizers on a charter school is a requirement that the charter school not remain in the lowest category or designation of school improvement, including any alternative accountability category or designation, in the third year after initial placement in the lowest category or designation established under IC 20-31-8-4.

(b) An authorizer of a charter school that does not meet the minimum standard for charter school renewal described in subsection (a) may petition the state board at any time to request permission to renew the charter school's charter notwithstanding the fact that the charter school does not meet the minimum standard. If timely notification is made, the state board shall hold a hearing under section 2.5 of this chapter to consider the authorizer's request at the state board's next regularly scheduled board meeting.

(c) In determining whether to grant a request under subsection (b), the state board shall consider the following:

(1) Enrollment of students with special challenges, such as drug or alcohol addiction, prior withdrawal from school, prior incarceration, or other special circumstances.

(2) High mobility of the student population resulting from the specific purpose of the charter school.

(3) Annual improvement in the performance of students enrolled in the charter school, as measured by IC 20-31-8-1, compared with the performance of students enrolled in the charter school in the immediately preceding school year.

As added by P.L.91-2011, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.280-2013, SEC.13; P.L.250-2017, SEC.4; P.L.159-2019, SEC.3.