Key Updates on Charter Renewal and Mandatory Consideration of Verified Data Eliminated 

Important update for charter schools designated as low- or middle-performing: the legal requirements from AB 1505 that mandate a chartering authority to consider verified data expire on June 30, 2025, and January 1, 2026, respectively. Substantial efforts to change the law through a legislative process have fallen short. Please stay tuned for potential developments regarding the budget trailer bill, which is expected to be signed into law in late June or early July.  

Verified data (data derived from nationally recognized, valid, peer-reviewed, and reliable sources that are externally produced) was always intended to be a temporary component of AB 1505’s changes to legal requirements for charter renewal. Verified data was written initially with these sunset dates in 2019 because the State Board of Education was poised to release a student growth metric, which would replace them. The COVID years substantially postponed the SBE’s release of this metric, which remains in “informational purposes” status to this day.   

The sunset of verified data is not necessarily a disaster! YM&C is clearly aware that no law prevents the inclusion of verified data with a renewal charter. As in the pre-1505 days, we remain in control of the data story we tell at renewal.  

Low-performing charter schools can still be renewed. The law allows for renewal if it is found that the charter school is taking meaningful steps to address the underlying cause(s) of low performance, and those steps are or will be reflected in a written plan adopted by the school’s governing board. We can choose to supplement with verified data.  

Middle-performing charter schools are to be renewed after consideration of schoolwide and subgroup performance on the Dashboard state indicators, with greater weight given to academic indicators, as well as performance on local indicators. We can choose to supplement with verified data.  

Charter Renewals

Charter renewals remain a high-stakes and complex process. Renewal petitions are evaluated within a multifaceted legal framework that encompasses performance criteria, statutory eligibility, and the discretion of the authorizer. Schools must still be prepared to present comprehensive evidence of academic performance, legal compliance, organizational capacity, community involvement, and political savvy.  
 
At Young, Minney & Corr, LLP, we understand that no two renewals are alike. Our legal team has guided hundreds of charter schools through multiple successful renewals under both traditional and heightened scrutiny. We are proud to have worked hand-in-hand with clients to achieve a success rate of approximately 98% for the 2024-25 period, with only one low-performing charter school being non-renewed. Our continued successful track record in this area reflects our deep understanding of the Education Code, authorizer expectations, and the strategic advocacy required to secure a strong renewal outcome.  
 
From pre-renewal assessments and data analysis to petition drafting and public hearing support, our attorneys are proud to partner with school leaders through every stage of the process. Our work strikes a balance between legal compliance and compelling narrative development.  
 
We continue to monitor all legislative and litigation updates that impact the renewal landscape and will provide further guidance as new developments unfold. If your school is up for renewal in 2026-27 or seeking strategic input in preparation, now is the time to get started! 

Download Legal Alert

For specific questions regarding your school’s charter renewal, please contact: