Education Programs: K–12 Charter Schools

What Is a Charter School?

A charter school is one of the education reform ideas drawn from the concept of alternative schools, site-based management, magnet schools, public school choice, privatization, and community-parental empowerment. Charter schools are commonly used in discussing education reform and policy and receive support from elected officials, including governors, legislators, and secretaries of education.

Charter schools are independently operated public schools and are funded with public money. Each state that passed a charter school law has varied definitions and authority on the make up of charter schools. The schools provide opportunities for teachers, parents, community organizers, and individuals to design, develop, and implement new approaches that are innovative to meet the needs of the students or student population they intend to serve. A charter school operates under contract with the local school board, state board, or a university. The charter school law has a similar requirement among the states that each charter school is required to meet the same graduation standards as other schools and is responsible for improving achievement. If an achievement goal is not met, it might be put on probation or closed by the state. Charter schools also must demonstrate the ability to handle fiscal and operational responsibilities in running the schools. Charter schools are freed from traditional regulations and compliances so they can focus on meeting the higher academic standards for their students.

Charter schools address specific student populations of high-risk students, students of color, students with disabilities, English language learners, or low-income students. In addition to serving the specific student population, charter schools may [Page 361]focus on different approaches to closing the achievement gap on building basic skills, language and academic skills, service learning and internships, integrating the arts, partnering between schools and families, use culture-specific approaches, school-to-work transition, and emphasizing college preparatory coursework.

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