Sec. 1. (a) The state board may approve not more than one (1) coalition of continuous improvement school districts under this chapter to offer flexibility and innovation to schools to improve student outcomes.

     (b) To establish a coalition under this chapter, at least four (4), but not more than a total of eight (8), of any of the following must jointly submit a plan to the state board in a manner prescribed by the state board:

(1) A school corporation.

(2) An eligible school (as defined in IC 20-51-1-4.7).

(3) A state accredited nonpublic school.

     (c) The plan submitted under subsection (b) must include:

(1) a description of the various educational programs that will be offered by members of the proposed coalition;

(2) a description that identifies potential coalition member partnerships with:

(A) business or industry;

(B) postsecondary educational institutions; or

(C) community partners;

(3) the specific goals and the measurable student outcomes to be obtained by the proposed coalition members; and

(4) an explanation of how student performance in achieving the specific outcomes will be measured, evaluated, and reported.

If a plan submitted to the state board includes a request to suspend all or portions of IC 20-30 for a proposed coalition, the plan must include how the specific goal of the proposed coalition will be achieved by suspending all or portions of IC 20-30. The state board may approve a plan that proposes to suspend all or portions of IC 20-30 only if the suspension is related to a specific goal of the proposed coalition.

     (d) The state board may approve a coalition under this chapter if the state board determines that the coalition will:

(1) improve student performance and outcomes;

(2) offer coalition members flexibility in the administration of educational programs; and

(3) promote innovative educational approaches to student learning.

     (e) The plan approved by the state board under subsection (d) must apply uniformly for each member of the coalition.

     (f) Upon approval of the coalition by the state board under subsection (d), the state board shall post the following on the state board’s Internet web site:

(1) A copy of the plan approved by the state board under subsection (d).

(2) Information describing how a school corporation, an eligible school (as defined in IC 20-51-1-4.7), or a state accredited nonpublic school may submit an application to become a coalition member to the coalition under section 2(b) of this chapter.

As added by P.L.190-2018, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.92-2020, SEC.41.