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Charter schools are publicly funded schools allowed to operate autonomously and free from many of the regulations that apply to other public schools. This flexibility is granted as part of a contract, or charter, with an authorizing agency that holds the school accountable for achieving its outlined charter goals, including supporting student achievement, within a certain period of time (usually five years). Charter school staff members usually have more in-house control than those in mainstream public schools.

Many charter schools attract students by offering a unique philosophy, culture, curriculum, or organizational style. As of April 2005, approximately 3,400 charter schools were operating in the U.S. The laws governing charter schools vary from state to state.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FROM EDUCATION WORLD:

• More and More States Embrace Charter Schools
• No Educator Left Behind: Charter School Teachers

OTHER RESOURCES:

• North Central Regional Educational Laboratory: Critical Issue: Dynamic Debate-Determining the Evolving Impact of Charter Schools
  A discussion on the impact of charter schools on public education
• The Center for Education Reform: Charter Schools
  Information about the number of charter schools in the U.S. and the laws in different states that regulate them.
• U.S. Charter Schools
  A comprehensive site on the charter school movement in the U.S.
  

Article by Ellen R. Delisio
Education World®
Copyright © 2005 Education World