1) Schools organized and operated with a greater degree of autonomy than public schools by groups of teachers and parents; 2) A substitute for reforming public education embraced by conservatives who have become bored with beating up on teachers
Ranging from back-to-basics to Montessori methods to schools for disabled kids, with a hundred other models in between, charter schools are a hybrid: public schools with some features of private schools. As public institutions, they're open to all who wish to attend, paid for with tax dollars, and accountable to public authorities for their performance (especially student achievement) and decent behavior (e.g. non-discrimination). But they also have features associated primarily with private schools: self-governance, freedom from most regulations, the ability to hire whom they like (usually without a union contract), control of their own (secular) curricula, and attendance only by youngsters whose parents elect them. Besides upward-accountability to state or local authorities, they must satisfy their customers--or they won't have students.
According to Education Week on the Web, charter schools are schools run independently of the traditional public school system but receiving public funding, run by groups such as teachers, parents, or foundations. Charter schools are free of many district regulations and are often tailored to community needs.
a process created by Kansas Statute which enables a school to focus on a defined mission and to measure its achievement against that mission. The process allows schools to request waivers from some components of district and/or state policies
Charter schools are independent public schools designed and operated by educators, parents, community leaders, educational entrepreneurs and others. They are authorized/sponsored by designated local or state educational organizations, who monitor their quality and effectiveness but allow them to operate outside of the traditional system of public schools. Most states use the term "charter school," although there are other terms in use for this type of school, such as "community school" used in Ohio and "public school academies" in MIchigan.
Public schools that run independently of school board governance, but still receive public funding. They are run by groups of teachers, parents, and/or foundations. Charter schools are free of many district regulations and are often tailored to community needs.
A charter school is a school affiliated with a school district but is not subject to many of the same rules and regulations as a traditional high school in hiring faculty, and designing curricula and course offerings. As such, they offer individuality and opportunity to students whose educational interests and abilities are best met by a non-traditional environment.
a hybrid, having some features of both public and private
Innovative, independent public schools that provide parents additional school options while being held accountable to the public for results through a performance-based contract or “charter.
Publicly funded schools that are exempt from many state laws and regulations for school districts. They are run by groups of teachers, parents, and/or foundations. (Ed-data and SARC glossary)
Charter Schools are self-managed public schools that are approved by local school districts. They are created and controlled by parents, teachers, community leaders, and colleges or universities. Charter schools operate free from many educational mandates, except for those concerning nondiscrimination, health and safety, and accountability. Charter Schools offer alternatives in education using strategies that may save money and improve student performance.
Charter schools are independent public schools designed and operated by educators, parents, community leaders, educational entrepreneurs and others who operate outside of the traditional system of public schools. They are sponsored by designated local or state educational organizations, which monitor their quality and effectiveness. ( U. S. Department of Education)
Publicly funded schools given more independence to operate than conventional public schools, frequently offering innovative programs and given permission to operate by governmental bodies generally on five-year contracts. Religious schools cannot be charter schools. Charter schools generally receive about $7,500 per student per year. Charter schools' students take state standardized tests and results, by school, are reported publicly. There are more than 50 charter schools in Milwaukee now.
