Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act

This Act may be cited as the Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act.
Section 4303 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7221b) is amended—
in subsection (b)—
in paragraph (1)(C), by striking and after the semicolon; and
by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
provide technical assistance to eligible applicants and authorized public chartering agencies in carrying out the activities described in paragraph (1);
work with authorized public chartering agencies in the State to improve authorizing quality, including developing capacity for, and conducting, fiscal oversight and auditing of charter schools; and
at the State entity’s discretion—
fund a revolving loan fund or similar mechanisms for the expenses of eligible applicants under subsection (h) prior to the receipt of subgrant funds under paragraph (1); and
provide assistance to eligible applicants in locating and accessing a facility; and
provide pre-charter planning subgrants (in amounts of no more than $100,000 per subgrantee) to charter school developers that—
intend to submit an application—
to an authorized public chartering agency to operate a charter school; or
to nonprofit or public entities for the provision of financial support to such developers;
are led by educators who—
have not less than 54 months of school-based experience (which may include experience in teaching in or administering after school or summer school programs); and
have demonstrated leadership competencies and success with students, as determined by the State entity; and
have successfully completed the development of an initial plan for opening a charter school, as evidenced by a description of the educational needs of the community in which the proposed charter school will be located and how the proposed charter school will be suited to meet those needs.
in subsection (c)(1)—
in subparagraph (A), by striking 90 percent and inserting 82 percent;
in subparagraph (B)—
by striking not less than 7 percent and inserting not more than 10 percent; and
by striking and after the semicolon;
by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D);
by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
reserve not more than 5 percent of such funds to carry out the activities described in subsection (b)(3); and
in subsection (d)(1)(B), by striking this section and inserting subsection (b)(1);
in subsection (e)(2), by striking this section and inserting subsection (b)(1);
in subsection (f)(1)(A)(vi)—
in the matter preceding subclause (I), by inserting under subsection (b)(1) after program; and
in subclause (II), by striking subgrant funds under this section and inserting subgrant funds under subsection (b)(1); and
in subsection (h), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking this section and inserting subsection (b)(1).