SB 426: Charter schools: flex-based instruction.

The Charter Schools Act of 1992 authorizes the establishment, operation, and governance of charter schools. Existing law authorizes a charter school that has an approved charter to receive funding for nonclassroom-based instruction only if a determination for funding is made by the State Board of Education, as specified. Existing law describes nonclassroom-based instruction as including, but not being limited to, independent study, home study, workstudy, and distance and computer-based instruction.

This bill would replace the term nonclassroom-based instruction with flex-based instruction and define a flex-based charter school as a charter school that receives a determination for funding from the state board, as described above. The bill would expand the description of flex-based instruction to include, but not be limited to, part-time classroom instruction, personalized learning, hybrid, career-focused, college-ready, adult reengagement, constructivist, content-focused, and synchronous or asynchronous distance and computer-based education, or any combination of these types of instruction. The bill would also make numerous nonsubstantive and conforming changes.