2006 Code of Virginia § 22.1-212.5 - Objectives; definitions

22.1-212.5. Objectives; definitions.

A. (Effective until July 1, 2009) In order to (i) stimulate the developmentof innovative programs within public education; (ii) provide opportunitiesfor innovative instruction and assessment; (iii) provide parents and studentswith more options within their school divisions; (iv) provide teachers with avehicle for establishing schools with alternative innovative instruction andschool scheduling, management and structure; (v) encourage the use ofperformance-based educational programs; (vi) establish and maintain highstandards for both teachers and administrators; and (vii) develop models forreplication in other public schools, public charter schools may beestablished in Virginia as provided in this article.

A. (Effective July 1, 2009) In order to (i) stimulate the development ofinnovative programs within public education; (ii) provide opportunities forinnovative instruction and assessment; (iii) provide parents and studentswith more options within their school divisions; (iv) provide teachers with avehicle for establishing schools with alternative innovative instruction andschool scheduling, management and structure; (v) encourage the use ofperformance-based educational programs; (vi) establish high standards forboth teachers and administrators; and (vii) develop models for replication inother public schools, public charter schools may be established in Virginiaas provided in this article.

B. As used in this article:

"At-risk pupil" means a student having a physical, emotional, intellectual,socioeconomic, or cultural risk factor, as defined in Board of Educationcriteria, which research indicates may negatively influence educationalsuccess.

"Public charter school" means a public, nonreligious, or non-home-basedalternative school located within a public school division. A public charterschool may be created as a new public school or through the conversion of allor part of an existing public school; however, no public charter school shallbe established through the conversion of a private school or a nonpublichome-based educational program. A charter school for at-risk pupils may beestablished as a residential school.

"Regional public charter school" means a public charter school operated bytwo or more school boards and chartered directly by the participating schoolboards.

(1998, cc. 748, 890; 2000, cc. 631, 712, 1028; 2004, c. 530; 2005, c. 928.)