Charter schools are public schools that are founded by groups of parents, educators, community leaders and/or community-based organizations and are chartered, or sponsored, by local boards of education. Charter schools began as a grass-roots movement to provide alternative educational options in major urban areas in the early 1990s. The first state to pass legislative law pertaining to charter schools was Minnesota in 1991. By 2003, 40 states along with Puerto Rico and The Dominican Republic had legislative laws in place allowing for the creation of charter schools.

Charter schools are based on a concept that the school can operate separately from many of the rules and regulations of traditional public schools. This is not to say that charter schools are not held accountable for their instruction and operation policies, but rather they are held accountable by their founding members and chartering organization. Charter schools still must maintain certain academic standards as outlined by their charter contract.

Since their inception, not all charter schools have been successful and many have lost or surrendered their charter contract. However, many charter schools have operated successfully and have gained the attention and interest of the public. Parents and educators may choose charter schools for a number of reasons. Typically, parents view charter schools as innovative and individualized and appreciate the benefits of smaller classroom sizes.

One of the primary reasons parents choose charter schools is merely because it is a choice. Some parents are forced by their employment requirements or financial constraints to live in areas where traditional public schools are failing. Charter schools offer a choice for parents and their children to try other educational avenues when traditional ones do not work for them. Charter schools do not charge tuition, as they are public not private entities.

You can learn more information about legislation pertaining to charter schools in your state and find other resources by contacting the US Department of Education, your state department of education, or by reviewing the US Department of Education’s website.

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