WHAT ARE CHARTER SCHOOLS?

Charter schools are independent public schools, designed and operated by educators, parents, community leaders, educational entrepreneurs, and others. They are sponsored in California by school districts and county boards of education that monitor their quality and integrity but allow them to operate free from the traditional bureaucratic and regulatory red tape that hog-ties public schools. Freed from such micromanagement, charter schools design and deliver programs tailored to educational excellence and community needs. Because they are schools of choice (no one is forced to attend), they are held to the highest level of accountability – consumer demand.

As a public school, a charter school is open to all who wish to attend it (without regard to race, religion, or academic ability) and paid for with tax dollars (no tuition charges). Charter schools are held accountable for achieving educational results. The “charter” establishing each school is a performance contract detailing the school’s program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success. The length of time for which charters are granted in California is five years. At the end of the initial term, the school can obtain a five-year renewal by petitioning the school board granting the charter

WHY CHARTER SCHOOLS?

1. Charter schools give parents and students choices
   If regular public school isn't addressing a student's needs, parents can choose to enroll them in a public charter school that could better meet their needs.
2. Charter Schools give teachers the freedom to innovate
   By giving teachers the flexibility to try new and innovative ways to improve student achievement, charter schools are developing successful new teaching models that can be shared with the entire public school system.
3. Charter schools hold teachers and administrators accountable
   If student achievement doesn't improve, then charter schools can make quick, effective changes like modifying curriculum or making appropriate staff changes to get back on track.  We need this same level of accountability for all public schools.

For more information, visit http://www.charterassociation.org/

WHERE IN THE STATE?

The California State Department of Education maintains an interactive page featuring all California charter schools. To find a school click on: www.cde.ca.gov/ds/si/cs/ap1/imagemap.aspx. You can access each schools' web page and their Data Quest reports.