22.1-212.5 - Objectives; definitions. - Virginia Statutes

§ 22.1-212.5. Objectives; definitions.

A. In order to (i) stimulate the development of innovative programs withinpublic education; (ii) provide opportunities for innovative instruction andassessment; (iii) provide parents and students with more options within theirschool divisions; (iv) provide teachers with a vehicle for establishingschools with alternative innovative instruction and school scheduling,management and structure; (v) encourage the use of performance-basededucational programs; (vi) establish high standards for both teachers andadministrators; and (vii) develop models for replication in other publicschools, public charter schools may be established in Virginia as provided inthis 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.)