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A Big Victory - Senate Bill 55 was signed into law by the Governor!

A big victory for parents, students and public charter schools! Senate Bill 55, Authorization of Charter Schools by Higher Education Institutions, initiated by Parents for Choice in Education and sponsored by a great partner, Senator Stuart Adams, was signed into law by Governor Herbert on Tuesday, March 30th. With your help, PCE has successfully passed policy that will bring more innovation and options to Utah children.

The 5,000 member strong Utah Technology Council, expressed it well in a letter encouraging legislators to support SB55 "Education Quality = Quality Workforce: Technology companies understand the importance of rigor and relevance and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) in both public and higher education. We expect that the Higher Educational institutions will set high student achievement standards in schools that they administer, helping to produce a quality workforce to fuel Utah's innovative companies."

PCE WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU and all those who supported SB55 for working to ensure that every child has equal access to a quality education! With your help we can empower parents, increase choice and promote innovative solutions.

To see whether or not your legislators supported the bill click HERE

Review news stories about the bill

• Deseret News - Utah Legislature: House OKs college charter schools
• Deseret News - Utah Legislature: Charter schools get boost in funding, seat on board

Here is a brief summary of the bill listing highlights and benefits

Senate Bill 55 Summary - AUTHORIZATION OF CHARTER SCHOOLS BY HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Chief Sponsor: Stuart Adams
House Sponsor: Greg Hughes

This bill was supported and lobbied for by the Board of Regents, Utah Technology Council, Utah Association of Public Charter Schools, Utah Taxpayers Association, UVU President Matthew Holland and Weber State President Ann Millner.

Allows a board of trustees of a higher education institution to authorize the establishment and operation of a charter school.

Bill Highlights

• Subject to approval by the State Board of Education, allows a board of trustees of a higher education institution to enter into an agreement with certain individuals or entities to establish and operate a charter school;
• Specifies procedures for applying for authorization of a charter school by a board of trustees of a higher education institution;
• Specifies the responsibilities of a board of trustees of a higher education institution that authorizes a charter school;
• Allows a board of trustees of a higher education Institution as a Chartering Entity to charge an annual fee of a value not to exceed 1% of each WPU for oversight and technical support to a charter school.

Benefits from Having an Additional Partner in Charter Authorizing

• Multiple authorizers broaden the opportunity for innovation and enhance quality and accountability
• This will provide more options for Utah parents and students
• We expect that a high percentage of these charter graduates will go on to higher education, providing a strong avenue to bridge the gap between high school and higher learning and strengthening the K-16 Alliance   
• We expect this option will provide a strong environment to motivate at-risk student populations to seek a degree in higher education
• We expect many of these charters will be focused on missions specific to their institution of higher learning such as STEM curriculum, providing a strong partnership for workforce quality
• Higher Education Institutions have strong resources; including considerable education expertise, access to university resources and partnerships, and research capabilities that may lead to innovation and best practices