SB 564 – This act requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to compare student assessment scores of students at charter schools that use the MAP test to measure student performance. The Department will compare the average of the scores from the school's first and second years of operation with the average of the scores from the sixth and seventh years of operation. If the later scores are worse, the Department must conduct a public hearing within sixty days, at which time the charter school may provide the Department with a compelling reason as to why it should remain open. The State Board of Education may monitor the charter school for the next two years. If student scores do not improve after two years, the State Board of Education must revoke the school's charter and close the school. In addition, the sponsor will not be able to sponsor any new charter schools. MICHAEL RUFF