(1) For purposes of this section, the term:(a) “Entity” means a municipality or other public entity that is authorized by law to operate a charter school; a private, nonprofit corporation with tax-exempt status under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; or a private, for-profit education management corporation.
(b) “High-performing charter school system” means an entity that:1. Operates at least three high-performing charter schools in the state;
2. Operates a system of charter schools in which at least 50 percent of the charter schools are high-performing charter schools pursuant to s. 1002.331 and no charter school received a school grade of “D” or “F” pursuant to s. 1008.34, except that:a. If the entity has assumed operation of a public school pursuant to s. 1008.33(5)(a)3. with a school grade of “D” or “F,” that school’s grade shall not be considered in determining high-performing charter school system status for a period of 3 years. b. If the entity establishes a new charter school that serves a student population the majority of which resides in a school zone served by a public school that is identified as lowest performing under s. 1008.33(4)(b), that charter school’s grade shall not be considered in determining high-performing charter school system status if it attains and maintains a school grade that is higher than that of the public school serving that school zone within 3 years after establishment; and 3. Has not received a financial audit that revealed one or more of the financial emergency conditions set forth in s. 218.503(1) for any charter school assumed or established by the entity. (2)(a) The Commissioner of Education, upon request by an entity, shall verify that the entity meets the criteria in subsection (1) for the prior school year and provide a letter to the entity stating that it is a high-performing charter school system.
(b) A high-performing charter school system may replicate its high-performing charter schools pursuant to s. 1002.331(3). 
