A self-governing educational facility that operates under contract between the school’s organizers and the sponsors (often local school boards but sometimes other agencies, such as state boards of education). The organizers are often teachers, parents, or private organizations. The charter may detail the school’s instructional design, methods of assessment, management, and finances. Charter schools usually receive government funding, may not charge tuition, must be nonsectarian and nondiscriminatory, and must be chosen by teachers, students, and parents. To renew their charters, these schools are expected to show that they meet the expectations of parents and their governing boards, continue to attract families, and retain and attract teachers. In exchange for this form of accountability, charter schools are free from most state and local regulations, often including teacher certification requirements.
