Summary: Assembly Bill 84 focuses on tightening state oversight over public charter schools in California. It introduces more stringent financial auditing standards, requiring certified professionals to regularly review charter school budgets and expenditures. The bill mandates that charter school teachers hold the same state credentials as those in traditional district schools, removing previous flexibility for hiring and staffing. It also regulates how chartering authorities manage oversight fees and how schools enter into contracts, and it aims to improve consistency in tracking student data and attendance across the state.
FPM’s Position: 84 does not apply to private schools or private homeschools. These educational settings remain legally distinct from the public education system, including charter schools. Families operating private home-based schools or attending private campus institutions are not subject to the financial audits, credentialing mandates, or reporting requirements introduced in AB 84.
However, the bill is part of a broader trend: when public funds are used, the government assumes authority to regulate and oversee how those funds are spent. This principle is what drives the changes in AB 84 and similar legislation.