What is the difference between charter schools and other public schools?

Achiever, The,  Oct, 2006  

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Charter schools are independent public schools that provide families an alternative to their traditional neighborhood schools. They offer options particularly in areas where a large number of public schools have been identified as needing improvement, corrective action or restructuring. Charter schools are commonly founded by educators, parents and community leaders or they may be existing schools converted to charter status. They often feature innovative approaches to instruction. Since the first charter school opened in Minnesota in 1992, the charter school movement has grown to more than 3,600 schools nationwide serving more than 1 million students.

Charter schools are primarily characterized by their agreement to be accountable for academic results in exchange for increased autonomy. While they operate with freedom from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools, they must meet the academic standards set forth in their charter--the performance contract that establishes the school. In addition, charter schools must satisfy, as other public schools, the same accountability requirements outlined in the No Child Left Behind Act. And, as public schools receiving taxpayer dollars, they must offer open admission and enrollment free of charge.

Most charters are granted for three to five years and are subject to renewal by the entity chartering them, usually a state or local school board. As of the 2005-06 school year, 40 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws to authorize the establishment of charter schools.

For additional information, or to find a charter school in your area, visit http://www.uscharterschools.org.

(charter school: an independent public school established by a charter that promises academic results in return for greater freedom from select rules and regulations applied to traditional public schools.)

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