1. (1) The purposes of the state's charter schools are to enhance school choice, meet the unique needs of Utah families, and encourage innovation within the public education system by:

   1. (a) continuing to improve student learning;
   2. (b) encouraging the use of different and innovative teaching methods;
   3. (c) creating new professional opportunities for educators that allow educators to actively participate in designing and implementing learning programs at the school;
   4. (d) increasing choice of learning opportunities for students;
   5. (e) establishing new educational models and new forms of accountability that emphasize unique performance measures and innovative measurement tools to measure education outcomes;
   6. (f) providing opportunities for greater parental involvement in governance decisions at the school level;
   7. (g) expanding public school choice in areas where there is a lack of school choice or where schools have been identified for school improvement, corrective action, or restructuring; and
   8. (h) collaborating within the public education system.

2. (2) As described in Section 53G-5-401, a charter school is a public school for all purposes under Utah law, including:

   1. (a) the Legislature's authority under Utah Constitution, Article X, Section 3, to designate schools and educational programs, including charter schools, as part of the public education system;
   2. (b) eligibility for public funding and resources;
   3. (c) access to public facilities and property;
   4. (d) participation in public school programs and initiatives; and
   5. (e) application of laws governing an LEA.

Amended by Chapter 228, 2026 General Session