A proposed State Board of Education policy would punish charter schools for failing to maintain a prescribed level of state certified teachers – 75 percent in grades K – 5 and 50 percent in grades 6 – 12. The policy will likely be approved at the State Board of Education meeting this week.

Step 1 – The state reduces its allotment to the charter school by the amount of the salary of the Headmaster/Director of the school.

Step 2 – After a month of non-compliance, the state will reduce its allotment to the school by the amount of the salary of the highest paid non-certified teacher?s salary of the school.

Step 3 – Each month of non-compliance thereafter, the state will reduce its allotment to the school by the amount of the salary of the next highest paid non-certified teacher?s salary of the school.

Step 4 – If the charter remains non-compliant as of February 1, DPI will recommend revocation of the school?s charter at the end of the academic year.

The issue of whether state certified teachers are better teachers than non-certified ones is not up for discussion.