About Charter Schools

Charter schools are innovative public schools providing choices for families and greater accountability for results.

The "charter" establishing each such school is a performance contract detailing the school's mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success. The length of time for which charters in New York State are granted is 5 years. At the end of the term, the entity granting the charter may renew the school's contract.

Charter schools are accountable to their sponsor-- usually a state or local school board-- to produce positive academic results and adhere to the charter contract. The basic concept of charter schools is that they exercise increased autonomy in return for this accountability. They are accountable for both academic results and fiscal practices to several groups: the sponsor that grants them, the parents who choose them, and the public that funds them.

Benefits

The intention of most charter school legislation is to:

1. Increase opportunities for learning and access to quality education for all students
2. Create choice for parents and students within the public school system
3. Provide a system of accountability for results in public education
4. Encourage innovative teaching practices
5. Create new professional opportunities for teachers
6. Encourage community and parent involvement in public education
7. Leverage improved public education broadly

People establish charter schools for a variety of reasons. The founders generally fall into three groups: grassroots organizations of parents, teachers and community members; entrepreneurs; or existing schools converting to charter status.

Parents and teachers choose charter schools primarily for educational reasons--high academic standards, small class size, innovative approaches, or educational philosophies in line with their own.