HJ0036 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Budgeting for Results Commission has stated goals of increasing postsecondary graduation among Illinoisans to 60% by 2025 and minimizing achievement gaps between different types of students; and

WHEREAS, In its legislative declaration, the Charter Schools Law states that the purpose for charter schools in this State is to improve pupil learning; increase learning opportunities for all children, with special emphasis on expanding options for at-risk pupils; encourage innovation, parental engagement, community involvement, and expanded public school options; create new professional opportunities for teachers; and hold charter schools accountable; and

WHEREAS, Charter schools serve 13% of Chicago's student population and a growing number of students in downstate and suburban communities; 91% of the students enrolled in charter schools across this State come from low-income families and 95% are minorities, making charter schools a key component to help close the achievement gaps that persist; and

WHEREAS, The 2 fundamental pillars of charter schools are autonomy and accountability, each of which must be enforced through high-quality authorizing; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that a Task Force on Charter School Funding be created to examine charter school funding issues, including the following:

(1) to compile a comparative analysis of charter school funding practices across the United States;

(2) to examine the current funding provisions in the Charter Schools Law for the purpose of ensuring funding equity, specifically the provision allowing school districts to provide charter schools funding in the range of 75% to 125% of the district's per capita tuition charge; and

(3) to review the effects of State-authorized charter schools on the students served by the charter, the students in the home school district, and the home school district's budget; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall consist of the following members, who shall serve without compensation:

(1) one member appointed by the President of the Senate;

(2) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(3) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(4) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(5) the State Superintendent of Education or his or her designee;

(6) the chairperson of the State Charter School Commission or his or her designee;

(7) the chief executive officer of a school district in a city having a population exceeding 500,000 or his or her designee;

(8) one member appointed by the Governor, upon recommendation of an organization representing teachers in a school district in a city having a population exceeding 500,000;

(9) one member appointed by the Governor, upon recommendation of the largest statewide organization representing teachers;

(10) one member appointed by the Governor, upon recommendation of the second-largest statewide organization representing teachers;

(11) one member appointed by the Governor, upon recommendation of a statewide organization representing charter schools in this State;

(12) one member appointed by the Governor who is familiar with virtual charter schools, upon recommendation of an organization representing downstate and suburban school boards;

(13) a principal of a currently operating, high-performing, charter school in this State, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education;

(14) one member appointed by the Governor, upon recommendation of a statewide education-policy organization that supports education-policy priorities designed to provide a world-class education to all Illinois youth;

(15) one member appointed by the Governor, upon recommendation of the largest charter school in this State;

(16) one member appointed by the Governor who is a representative of a community organization that operates charter schools, upon recommendation of that community organization;

(17) one member appointed by the Governor, upon recommendation of an organization representing the business community in this State;

(18) one member appointed by the Governor, upon recommendation of an education advocacy group that organizes parents and supports high-quality, public school options, including high-quality, public charter schools;

(19) one member appointed by the Governor representing a currently operating, Commission-approved charter school in this State, upon recommendation of the leadership of a Commission-approved charter school;

(20) one member appointed by the Governor, upon recommendation of a statewide 501(c)3 organization that supports school choice, with a focus on innovation in education and next-generation learning models;

(21) one member appointed by the Governor, upon recommendation of a school district outside the City of Chicago that has a State-approved charter school;

(22) one member appointed by the Governor, upon recommendation of a school district outside the City of Chicago that has a locally approved charter school;

(23) one member appointed by the Governor, upon recommendation of a union representing teachers in charter schools; and

(24) one member appointed by the Governor who is a nationally recognized expert on charter schools and charter school funding issues; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the members of the Task Force shall elect a chairperson from among their membership and that the State Charter School Commission shall provide administrative support; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the members of the Task Force shall be appointed within 30 days after the adoption of this resolution and shall begin meeting no later than 30 days after the appointments are finalized; in the event that the appointments by the Governor are not made within 30 days after the adoption of this resolution, the State Superintendent of Education shall make such appointments within 15 days after the appointment deadline; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall issue a report making recommendations on any changes to State laws with regard to charter school funding on or before January 15, 2014 and that the task force shall be dissolved upon issuance of this report; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Governor, the State Superintendent of Education, the State Charter School Commission, and the Chief Executive Officer of City of Chicago School District 299.