INCS is committed to creating systematic change to ensure charter school students are provided access to a high-quality education.
Narrows the Per Capita Tuition Charge (PCTC) range from 75 to 125 percent to 97 to 103 percent, which means students who choose a charter school are treated equitably and are subject to fewer limitations due to diminishing resources.
Retains Commission approved schools to be under the oversight of an independent authorizer. In July of 2020, the Illinois State Charter Commission was dissolved. Instead of going back to the school districts that denied them, the Illinois State Board of Education will be their authorizer offering objective oversight.
Increases the renewal period from five to 10 years for high-performing charter schools with proven track records of academic success and reinstates the Charter Schools Revolving Loan Fund to alleviate start-up financial burdens.
Demands fair access to facilities funding, enabling charter schools to redirect their finances to better meet student needs.
Increases the ability of charter schools to serve more students in need of high-quality educational opportunities.
Prioritizes the annual statutory minimum of $350 million to the Evidence Based Funding formula. The formula drives resources to the state’s most property-poor districts and those that serve the most students from low-income households and English Learners.
Preserve charter school autonomy by defeating dozens of anti-charter legislation that reoccur annually and are a threat to halting the progress charters have made in low-income communities over the years.
Champion for facilities access and support so that more money is allocated to the classroom instead of facilities costs, which district-run schools do not have to pay.
Collaborate with the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund to create policies that limit funding practices that siphon money from the classroom and prevent high-quality paraprofessionals and special education talent from accessing charter classrooms.
INCS engages with City Council members, the Mayor’s Office, the Chicago Board of Education, and other entities to drive forward policies that benefit our member schools and their families.