Education

Added a new definition for 'school of hope of distinction' as a school that has not received a grade lower than 'B' in at least 2 consecutive school years.

Changed facility requirements from requiring charter schools to agree to maintenance schedules to allowing schools of hope to negotiate mutually agreeable maintenance costs up to $600 per student.

Added specific requirements for mutual management agreements including provisions for student safety, supervision authority, and emergency shelter protocols.

Added a new dispute resolution process where the State Board of Education appoints a special magistrate to resolve conflicts between hope operators and school districts.

Modified eligibility criteria for persistently low-performing schools to change grading thresholds and add a new category for schools in the bottom 10 percent of statewide performance.

Added provisions allowing schools of hope in certain counties to colocate with other public schools in facilities with less than 50 percent utilization or at least 500 student stations.