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State Board for Charter Schools

Revision Date

Agency Contact Information

State Board for Charter Schools

See related histories: State Board of Education

Authority

The State Board for Charter Schools (Board) was established by Laws 1994, Ninth Special Session, Chapter 2. Current statutory authority is found at A.R.S. §§ 15-181 et seq. Administrative rules are found at A.A.C. §§ R7-5-101 et seq.

Function

The Legislature authorized creation of charter schools to provide a learning environment to improve pupil achievement and provide additional academic choices. Charter schools are formed by a contract, or charter, between a sponsor and a public or private entity. A sponsorship can be obtained from one of four entities: the State Board for Charter Schools, the State Board of Education, state universities or community college districts. A charter school may either be formed as a new school or as all or part of an existing school. Statute outlines the application process and requirements to establish and operate a charter school relating to sponsorship; curriculum; instruction; and measuring progress toward student outcomes as required by the State Board of Education. Criteria for admission, employment practices, financial requirements, and compliance with federal and state laws are specified as well.

The Board exercises general supervision over charter schools, grants charter status to qualifying applicants and monitors schools for compliance with federal and state law. The Board consists of 14 members: the Superintendent of Public Instruction; ten members appointed by the Governor to four-year terms; and three legislators who serve as advisory members.

History

Laws 1994, Ninth Special Session, Chapter 2 prescribed a process to establish charter schools and created the State Board for Charter Schools. The measure included a purpose statement which explained that charter schools could be established to provide a learning environment to improve pupil achievement and provide academic choices for parents and students. An eleven-member Board was authorized to exercise general supervision over charter schools sponsored by the Board and to grant charters to qualifying applicants. The measure also established the Charter Schools Stimulus Fund and included an appropriation of $1 million from the state general fund in fiscal year 1994-1995. The fund was created to provide financial support for charter school applicants and charter schools, startup costs and costs associated with renovating or remodeling existing buildings and structures.

Laws 1995, Chapter 273 modified charter school application requirements, charter school financing provisions and employment benefits.

Laws 1996, Chapter 284 was a lengthy education omnibus measure that modified charter school requirements relating to fingerprinting, liability insurance, admission, financing and enrollment.

A second measure enacted in 1996 reduced the number of members on the Board to nine by removing the two board members of the State Board of Education. The measure also required the Auditor General to conduct a comprehensive review and revision of the uniform system of financial records relating to charter schools, addressed zoning and development fees for charter schools, and added requirements related to public bidding. Laws 1996, Chapter 356.

Laws 1997, Chapter 231 was a lengthy education omnibus bill that included provisions relating to charter schools. The measure increased the number of members on the Board from nine to twelve by adding three public members. The measure also addressed specific financial calculations based on student count for those school districts that sponsor charter schools.

Laws 1998, Chapter 212 allowed charter school governing bodies to opt into the state health insurance plan and allow its employees to participate in state health insurance plans.

Laws 1998, Fifth Special Session, Chapter 1 (Students FIRST) established a capital financing system for state schools and modified financing requirements for charter schools.

Laws 2000, Chapter 90 was a charter school reform bill that addressed charter sponsorship, operations, financial accountability and funding.

Laws 2004, Chapter 257 added two members to the Board representing charter schools, and required one of the six general public members to reside on an Indian Reservation.

Laws 2005, Chapter 156 limited fees that may be charged to a charter school by a sponsoring entity.

Laws 2009, Chapter 117 modified the renewal period for charter schools.

Laws 2010, Chapter 160 required the Board to charge a processing fee to a charter school that amends its contract to participate in an online instruction program. A second measure enacted in 2010 outlined factors for the Board to consider when reviewing an application for a charter school. See Laws 2010, Chapter 305. A third measure authorized state universities and community college districts to sponsor an Arizona charter school and allowed the Board to use the services of the Arizona Auditor General. See Laws 2010, Chapter 332.

Laws 2012, Chapter 78 established the Joint Legislative Study Committee on Charter School Funding Options to evaluate methods for school districts to transfer to a funding model that is similar to the model used by charter schools. A report of findings and recommendations was due by December 31, 2013.

Laws 2016, Chapter 124 eliminated the authority for a school district to sponsor a charter school and made related conforming changes.

Laws 2017, Chapter 146 eliminated the requirement for a charter school to admit students residing in the attendance area of school under a desegregation court order or agreement to remediate racial discrimination. A second measure enacted that year modified teacher certification requirements, outlined requirements to receive a Subject Matter Expert Standard Teaching Certificate, modified requirements related to alternative teacher and administrator preparation programs, and required the State Board of Education to revise relevant rules. See Laws 2017, Chapter 245.

Laws 2018, Chapter 285 established budget and reporting requirements for charter schools.

Laws 2019, Chapter 191 required charter school governing bodies to establish a teacher performance evaluation system and policies to evaluate principals. A second measure enacted that year increased the amount of Charter Additional Assistance per charter student for fiscal year 2020. See Laws 2019, Chapter 265.

Laws 2022, Chapter 123 modified Board membership by reducing the number of public members from six to five and adding a member who is an operator of an alternative charter school whose mission is to serve specific populations of at-risk students. A second measure expanded fingerprint clearance card requirements to include all charter representatives, charter school governing body members and officers, directors, members and partners of a charter holder. The measure also modified procedures to revoke a charter. See Laws 2022, Chapter 201.

Laws 2025, Chapter 40 adds substitute teachers, school district governing board members and charter school governing body members to the list of individuals who have a duty to report to law enforcement the abuse, physical injury, or neglect of minors. A school resource officer or school safety officer is required to notify law enforcement and submit all information relating to the report. Also, mandated reporters must report to law enforcement a reasonable allegation against a public school employee or contractor.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, Laws 2025, Chapter 52 prohibits any school that participates in a federally funded or assisted meal program from serving, selling, or allowing the sale of ultraprocessed food during the school day. The legislation includes a list of ingredients that are contained in ultraprocessed foods.

Laws 2025, Chapter 53 requires each school district governing board and charter school governing body to set and enforce policies limiting student access to the internet, including cellphones, during the school day. The policies must include exceptions for educational purposes, emergencies, a student’s medical condition, and procedures to allow a student and parent to contact each other.

Laws 2025, Chapter 129 expands the School Safety Program to place more officers on school campuses and support the cost of safety technology, training and infrastructure improvements Sets requirements for the School Safety Program and for alternative program proposals. The Arizona Department of Education reviews and administers the proposals and conducts a safety assessment of a random sample of participating schools every 3 years. The bill specifies that school building blueprints and floor plans are not public records. Schools receiving program approval and monies must develop an emergency response plan and conduct a safety assessment of the school’s physical security and emergency response plan every 5 years. Requires school districts and charter schools to train officers how to recognize and interact with children with disabilities. 

Sources

  • Arizona Revised Statutes §§ 15-181 et seq.
  • Arizona Administrative Code §§ R7-5-101 et seq.
  • Session Laws
    • Laws 1994, Ninth Special Session, Chapter 2
    • Laws 1995, Chapter 273
    • Laws 1996, Chapter 284 and Chapter 356
    • Laws 1997, Chapter 231
    • Laws 1998, Chapter 212
    • Laws 1998, Fifth Special Session, Chapter 1
    • Laws 2000, Chapter 90
    • Laws 2004, Chapter 257
    • Laws 2005, Chapter 156
    • Laws 2009, Chapter 117
    • Laws 2010, Chapter 160, Chapter 305 and Chapter 332
    • Laws 2012, Chapter 78
    • Laws 2016, Chapter 124
    • Laws 2017, Chapter 146 and Chapter 245
    • Laws 2018, Chapter 285
    • Laws 2019, Chapter 191 and Chapter 265
    • Laws 2022, Chapter 123 and Chapter 201
    • Laws 2025, Chapter 40, Chapter 52, Chapter 53, and Chapter 129

Arizona State Board for Charter Schools website

Performance Audit and Sunset Review, Arizona State Board for Charter Schools, September 2023, Report 23-111

Performance audit and sunset review, Arizona State Board for Charter Schools, 13-12 and Agency Response

Related Collections at Arizona State Archives

  • Record Group 188 – Arizona State Board for Charter Schools, 1994-2016