IC 20-24-4-1 Version a
Charter requirements
     Note: This version of section effective until 1-1-2012. See also following version of this section, effective 1-1-2012.
    Sec. 1. A charter must meet the following requirements:
        (1) Be a written instrument.
        (2) Be executed by a sponsor and an organizer.
        (3) Confer certain rights, franchises, privileges, and obligations on a charter school.
        (4) Confirm the status of a charter school as a public school.
        (5) Be granted for:
            (A) not less than three (3) years; and
            (B) a fixed number of years agreed to by the sponsor and the organizer.
        (6) Provide for:
            (A) a review by the sponsor of the charter school's performance, including the progress of the charter school in achieving the academic goals set forth in the charter, at least one (1) time in each five (5) year period while the charter is in effect; and
            (B) renewal, if the sponsor and the organizer agree to renew the charter.
        (7) Specify the grounds for the sponsor to:
            (A) revoke the charter before the end of the term for which the charter is granted; or
            (B) not renew a charter.
        (8) Set forth the methods by which the charter school will be held accountable for achieving the educational mission and goals of the charter school, including the following:
            (A) Evidence of improvement in:
                (i) assessment measures, including the ISTEP program and the graduation examination;
                (ii) attendance rates;
                (iii) graduation rates (if appropriate);
                (iv) increased numbers of Core 40 diplomas (if appropriate); and
                (v) increased numbers of academic honors diplomas (if appropriate).
            (B) Evidence of progress toward reaching the educational goals set by the organizer.
        (9) Describe the method to be used to monitor the charter school's:
            (A) compliance with applicable law; and
            (B) performance in meeting targeted educational performance.
        (10) Specify that the sponsor and the organizer may amend the charter during the term of the charter by mutual consent and

describe the process for amending the charter.
        (11) Describe specific operating requirements, including all the matters set forth in the application for the charter.
        (12) Specify a date when the charter school will:
            (A) begin school operations; and
            (B) have students attending the charter school.
        (13) Specify that records of a charter school relating to the school's operation and charter are subject to inspection and copying to the same extent that records of a public school are subject to inspection and copying under IC 5-14-3.
        (14) Specify that records provided by the charter school to the department or sponsor that relate to compliance by the organizer with the terms of the charter or applicable state or federal laws are subject to inspection and copying in accordance with IC 5-14-3.
        (15) Specify that the charter school is subject to the requirements of IC 5-14-1.5.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.8.

IC 20-24-4-1 Version b
Charter requirements
     Note: This version of section effective 1-1-2012. See also preceding version of this section, effective until 1-1-2012.
    Sec. 1. (a) A charter must meet the following requirements:
        (1) Be a written instrument.
        (2) Be executed by a sponsor and an organizer.
        (3) Confer certain rights, franchises, privileges, and obligations on a charter school.
        (4) Confirm the status of a charter school as a public school.
        (5) Be granted for:
            (A) not less than three (3) years; and
            (B) a fixed number of years agreed to by the sponsor and the organizer.
        (6) Provide for the following:
            (A) A review by the sponsor of the charter school's performance, including the progress of the charter school in achieving the academic goals set forth in the charter, at least one (1) time in each five (5) year period while the charter is in effect.
            (B) Renewal, if the sponsor and the organizer agree to renew the charter.
        (7) Specify the grounds for the sponsor to:
            (A) revoke the charter before the end of the term for which the charter is granted; or
            (B) not renew a charter.
        (8) Set forth the methods by which the charter school will be held accountable for achieving the educational mission and goals of the charter school, including the following:
            (A) Evidence of improvement in:
                (i) assessment measures, including the ISTEP and end of

course assessments;
                (ii) attendance rates;
                (iii) graduation rates (if appropriate);
                (iv) increased numbers of Core 40 diplomas and other college and career ready indicators including advanced placement participation and passage, dual credit participation and passage, and International Baccalaureate participation and passage (if appropriate);
                (v) increased numbers of academic honors and technical honors diplomas (if appropriate);
                (vi) student academic growth;
                (vii) financial performance and stability; and
                (viii) governing board performance and stewardship, including compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, and charter terms.
            (B) Evidence of progress toward reaching the educational goals set by the organizer.
        (9) Describe the method to be used to monitor the charter school's:
            (A) compliance with applicable law; and
            (B) performance in meeting targeted educational performance.
        (10) Specify that the sponsor and the organizer may amend the charter during the term of the charter by mutual consent and describe the process for amending the charter.
        (11) Describe specific operating requirements, including all the matters set forth in the application for the charter.
        (12) Specify a date when the charter school will:
            (A) begin school operations; and
            (B) have students attending the charter school.
        (13) Specify that records of a charter school relating to the school's operation and charter are subject to inspection and copying to the same extent that records of a public school are subject to inspection and copying under IC 5-14-3.
        (14) Specify that records provided by the charter school to the department or sponsor that relate to compliance by the organizer with the terms of the charter or applicable state or federal laws are subject to inspection and copying in accordance with IC 5-14-3.
        (15) Specify that the charter school is subject to the requirements of IC 5-14-1.5.
    (b) A charter school shall set annual performance targets in conjunction with the charter school's sponsor. The annual performance targets shall be designed to help each school meet applicable federal, state, and sponsor expectations.
As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.91-2011, SEC.12.