What Are Charter Schools?

WHAT ARE CHARTER SCHOOLS?

• Charter schools are public schools of choice that serve all scholars;
• Charter schools have open enrollment, are tuition-free, and facilitate public lotteries for admission;
• Charter schools are created and managed by local educators, parents, and community leaders;
• They operate independently from the traditional district governance structure, but are held accountable through local and state oversight of operations and academic outcomes;
• Charter schools are authorized for five years, at which time they are renewed for continued operation or shut down;
• California approved the Charter Schools Act in 1992, the second state in the nation behind Minnesota;
• For nearly 30 years, California's charter schools have been reinventing public education and are viewed as a common sense option for scholars and families.