| What
is a Charter School?
Charter schools are independent public
schools that are operated by outside organizations.
They are monitored by the school district in which
they are chartered and are subject to the same safety,
civil rights, special education and bilingual regulations
as traditional public schools. Charter developers
go through a rigorous application process which
includes submission of a comprehensive school, curriculum,
business and facilities plan followed by a panel
interview. Charter schools are free to all students,
and children are selected based on a lottery system.
Students take state-mandated standardized tests
and must meet strict academic performance standards
agreed to in the charter.
Charter schools are unique in that no two schools
are alike. Each has the flexibility to offer different
choices including extended or alternative school
days and years, focus on specific grade levels and
implementation of particular curriculum and programs.
Schools must file an annual report every year, are
held financially accountable and employ an Independent
Board of Trustees to control individual school budgets
and hiring.
To ensure schools adhere to the high standards,
they are evaluated after five years. If they fail
to meet the goals of the charter they can be closed.
Charter schools receive partial school funding but
do not receive money for facilities. The additional
money needed to educate and operate is raised through
foundations, corporations and individuals. |
