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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a charter school?
- What's the difference between charter schools and other public schools?
- Who authorizes charter schools?
- Who can start a charter school?
- Who attends charter schools? Whom do they serve?
- How are charter schools funded?
- Do charter schools have admissions policies?
- How can I find a charter school in my area?
- How can I find a particular type of charter school?
- How can I start a charter school in my area?
- Where can I find a complete list of charter schools?
What is a charter school?
A charter school is a nonsectarian public school of choice that operates with freedom from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools. The "charter" establishing each such school is a performance contract detailing the school's mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success. The length of time for which charters are granted varies, but most are granted for 3-5 years. At the end of the term, the entity granting the charter may renew the school's contract. Charter schools are accountable to their sponsor-usually a state or local school board-to produce positive academic results and adhere to the charter contract. The basic concept of charter schools is that they exercise increased autonomy in return for this accountability. They are accountable for both academic results and fiscal practices to several groups: the sponsor that grants them, the parents who choose them, and the public that funds them.
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What's the difference between charter schools and other public schools?
Charter schools are public schools of choice, meaning teachers and students choose them. They operate with freedom from many regulations that apply to traditional public schools. They generally offer teachers and students more authority to make decisions than most traditional public schools. Instead of being accountable for compliance with rules and regulations, they are accountable for academic results and for upholding their charter. To learn more about what sets charter schools apart from their counterparts, read Ten Things to Know About Charter Schools
When drafting charter school laws, most states explain their intent to: (1) increase opportunities for learning and access to quality education for all students, (2) create choice for parents and students within the public school system, (3) provide a system of accountability for results in public education, (4) encourage innovative teaching practices, (5) create new professional opportunities for teachers, (6) encourage community and parent involvement in public education, and (7) leverage improved public education broadly.
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Who authorizes charter schools?
This varies from state to state, depending on the state's charter law. In California, for example, there are three types of authorizers: the governing board of the school districts, county boards of education, or the state board. In Pennsylvania, individuals or groups seeking to establish a charter public school must apply to the local school board of the district in which the school will be located. If a school district rejects a charter school application, the applicant can then appeal to the state's Charter Appeals Board (CAB). In other states, there are up to four types of entities allowed to authorize charter schools: the local school board, state universities, community colleges, and the state board of education.
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Who can start a charter school?
Parents, community leaders, businesses, teachers, school districts, and municipalities can submit a charter school proposal to their state's charter authorizing entity.
For additional information on how to start a charter school, please visit the How To Open a New School page.
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Who attends charter schools? Whom do they serve?
Nationwide, students in charter schools have similar demographic characteristics to students in all public schools. In some states charter schools serve significantly higher percentages of minority or economically disadvantaged students than the traditional public schools.
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How are charter schools funded?
As public schools, charters are not allowed to charge tuition, and they are funded according to enrollment. In some states, such as Alaska, Colorado, Minnesota, and New Jersey, they receive less than 100% of the funds allocated to their traditional counterparts for the operation of public schools. In other states, like California, additional funds or loans are made available to them. In most states, charters do not receive capital funds for facilities. They are entitled to federal categorical funding for which their students are eligible, such as Title I and Special Education monies. Federal legislation provides grants to help charters with start-up costs. In Pennsylvania, charter schools received reimbursement for employee's retirement programs and for the employers' contributions to social security.
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Do charter schools have admissions policies?
By law, charter schools must have a fair and open admissions process, conducting outreach and recruitment to all segments of the community they serve. When more students apply than can be accommodated, many charters use a lottery to randomly determine which students are accepted. Many charter schools also have waiting lists.
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How can I find a charter school in my area?
To locate a public charter schools in your area, go to the Find a PA Charter School page.
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How can I find a particular type of charter school?
To locate a particular type of charter school, go to the Find a PA Charter School page.
Additionally, the Center for Education Reform publishes the "National Charter School Directory", which provides contact information and profiles of charter schools in operation nationwide. It also provides information on "specially-focused" schools such as Arts-based, Core Knowledge and Montessori schools.
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How can I start a charter school in my area?
For additional information on how to start a charter school, please visit the How To Open a New School page.
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Where can I find a complete list of charter schools?
The Center for Education Reform publishes the "National Charter School Directory" which provides a listing of the charter schools in the nation.
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