Amend Senate File 2284 as follows:
   1.  Page 31, before line 22 by inserting: 

<DIVISION ___

ALTERNATIVE CHARTER SCHOOL PROVISIONS
   Sec. ___.  NEW SECTION.  256F.12  Alternative charter schools.
   1.  Notwithstanding this chapter or any provision of law to the contrary, the following entities may establish and operate an alternative charter school pursuant to this section:
   a.  The board of directors of a school district. 
   b.  A consortium consisting of the boards of directors of two or more school districts. 
   c.  An area education agency board. 
   d.  A consortium consisting of the boards of directors of an area education agency and one or more school districts, at least one of which is located within the boundaries of the area education agency. 
   e.  The board of directors of a community college. 
   f.  A consortium consisting of the boards of directors of a community college and one or more school districts, at least one of which is located within the boundaries of the community college.
   g.  An institution of higher education governed by the state board of regents. 
   h.  A consortium consisting of an institution of higher education governed by the state board of regents and the board of directors of one or more school districts. 
   i.  A consortium consisting of one or more accredited private institutions as defined in section 261.9, all of which are exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and the board of directors of one or more school districts. 
   j.  A consortium consisting of the governing body of a city or county and the board of directors of one or more school districts located, at least in part, within the boundaries of the city or county. 
   2.  Within thirty days of establishing an alternative charter school pursuant to this section, the entity establishing the alternative charter school shall submit to the department of education, and publish on an internet site operated by the entity, a copy of the plan of operation for the alternative charter school, which shall include but is not limited to the following:
   a.  The alternative charter school’s budget. 
   b.  The methods by which academic achievement will be measured.
   c.  The measures that will be used to assure that at least ninety-five percent of the students enrolled in the school will demonstrate a minimum of one year of academic growth for each year of instruction. 
   d.  Assurance that the alternative charter school shall, at a minimum, administer the Iowa test of basic skills and the Iowa tests of educational development in the manner and frequency used by the majority of school districts in this state.
   e.  The admissions procedures and dismissal procedures, including the school’s code of student conduct. 
   f.  The measures to be employed to ensure that the school’s racial and ethnic balance reflects the community it serves or reflects the racial and ethnic range of other schools located within the boundaries of the school district in which the school is located. 
   g.  The manner in which the school will be insured. 
   h.  The qualifications to be required of the alternative charter school’s teachers. 
   i.  The educational goals of the entity and the alternative charter school.
   3.  Although an alternative charter school may elect to comply with one or more provisions of statute or administrative rule, an alternative charter school is exempt from all statutes and rules applicable to a school, a school board, or a school district, including but not limited to chapters 20 and 279, except as provided in subsections 4, 5, and 8. 
   4.  An alternative charter school shall meet all applicable state and local health and safety requirements.
   5.  An alternative charter school shall not discriminate in its student admissions policies or practices on the basis of a student’s intellectual or athletic ability, measures of achievement or aptitude, or status as a person with a disability. However, an alternative charter school may limit admission to students who are within a particular range of ages or grade levels or on any other basis that would be legal if initiated by a school district. 
   6.  The alternative charter school shall make an annual progress report to the department by a date specified by the department. The report shall contain but not be limited to the school’s progress toward achieving the goals outlined in its operation plan and the financial records of the school, including revenues and expenditures. 
   7.  The cost of educating students enrolled in an alternative charter school shall be paid in the same manner as for students enrolled in school districts as provided in section 273.9, and chapters 256B and 257. 
   8.  An alternative charter school shall utilize facilities that comply with the state building code adopted pursuant to section 103A.7 and with the rules adopted for schools by the fire marshal pursuant to section 100.35.>
   2.  By renumbering as necessary.

______________________________
NANCY J. BOETTGER