The Charter School Legislation
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The 2010 proposed legislation opposed by the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus would have shifted the authority to approve a charter school from a locally elected school board to the state board of education appointed by the governor. It was modified to provide for an initial application to the state board and then submission to the local board for its approval. The state board is required to provide technical assistance to applicants seeking approval of a charter school.
Legislation proposed by Gov. Robert F. McDonnell and approved by the 2010 General Assembly increases the level of state support and guidance in the development of charter schools in Virginia to ensure that local school boards receive quality charter school proposals. The legislation (HB 1390 and SB 737):
> Requires charter school applicants to submit the application to the Board of Education for a determination as to whether the application meets the board's approval criteria prior to submitting the application to the