HB 2163 -- Outstanding Public Schools Accountability Act

Sponsor:  Levin

This bill creates the Outstanding Public Schools Accountability
Act, which releases students of public school districts from
mandatory attendance in the district when the district's scores
on the mathematics or reading/communication arts statewide
assessments fall below stated levels.  Under conditions detailed
in the bill, students may choose to attend the school of their
choice in a contiguous district or the nearest district that is
not academically insufficient or any private school within 40
miles of the student's residence.  A district must hit its
target level of proficiency and maintain the level for 3
consecutive years to regain mandatory attendance for its
students.  A 10-year phase-in of rising proficiency levels is
provided, as well as details for the distribution of school
aid.  The bill sets out conditions for a private or public
school to refuse to accept students from an academically
insufficient district, and students who are expelled from
receiving schools must return to the sending district.  Private
schools must guarantee they have sufficient financial resources
to return school aid to the sending district if the student
leaves the private school.  No funds received by private schools
may be used in direct or indirect support of religion.