Private schools taking public tuition aid would meet state standards

Participating schools must test students and report results. The requirement covers all students at participating private schools, including students whose tuition uses public assistance. Schools must reimburse the state for the full cost of testing, scoring, and reporting. No start date for these duties is stated.

Participating schools must meet standards for admissions, instruction, staff, student services, and safety. Participating schools must use approved academic standards, employ licensed or Board-approved core-subject teachers, and meet Board qualifications for administrators and counselors. Schools must not discriminate on the listed grounds and must provide required disability services and accommodations at no extra charge. Religious schools may keep their religious character and offer worship, but must provide a nonpunitive opt-out and an alternative activity when a public assistance student's parent requests it. The article does not apply to licensed schools for students with disabilities. Schools qualifying on July 1, 2026, would have until July 1, 2027, to comply; later entrants must comply before enrolling a student using public assistance.

Schools must report and publish information and limit tuition increases and extra fees. Participating schools must report financial, enrollment, student outcome, staffing, discipline, and tuition information. The Board may waive the tuition-increase limit for extraordinary circumstances, such as major facility damage or regulatory changes. Schools may charge for optional services not required for enrollment, but may not charge public assistance students extra fees beyond those charged to other students. Annual reports and audited financial statements are due October 1.

The state may bar new public assistance enrollment at schools with low ratings or failed accreditation. This applies when a participating school receives the lowest rating—or one of the two lowest when there are more than three ratings—or fails accreditation standards. An affected student may finish the current school year but may not reenroll using public tuition assistance. After five years, a school may apply to the Board to resume enrolling public assistance students; the Board must review compliance before allowing it. The five-year period starts when the rating or accreditation failure is issued.

The Superintendent may inspect schools and impose penalties for violations. These powers apply to participating private schools and violations of the article's requirements. Penalties may include suspending or revoking eligibility for up to five years, a fine of up to $10,000 per violation, or repayment of misused public funds. A school may appeal a penalty to the Board within 30 days of notice. The Board must issue a written decision within 120 days after an appeal.