Information About Charter Schools

Ten Fast Facts about Utah's Public Charter Schools

1. Charter schools are public schools. Charter schools operate under a "charter" agreement with the District or State Board of Education. They are funded by the State of Utah through the weighted pupil unit (WPU) system.

2. Charter schools may not charge tuition. Just like public schools, charter schools are funded by taxpayers and therefore, they are free to students. However, charter schools do not have taxing authority, funding for transportation, and cannot issue bonds for their buildings.

3. Charter schools must accept all students. Any student may apply for admission to any charter school and they must be accepted if there is space available. In the case where there are more students who apply than there are available seats at the school, the enrollment is determined by a lottery process. A charter school cannot discriminate against any student based on economic status, religion, race, disability, gender, national origin, or academic ability.

4. Charter school teachers must be state certified. Charter school teachers are under the same licensing requirements as that teachers at all of Utah's public schools.

5. Charter schools must meet state and national standards. Students attending public charter schools must participate in the same annual testing as traditional public school students. Results are published by the Utah State Office of Education and are available from individual charter school administrators.

6. All charter schools have governing boards. Charter schools have their own boards of directors and most operate independently of local school districts. Utah's Board of Education and the State Charter School Board have oversight responsibility for charter schools and annually review the progress of every charter school.

7. Not all charter schools require uniforms. Like traditional public schools, some require uniforms and some do not. Almost all charter schools, like other public schools, have dress codes.

8. All charter schools must teach the Core Curriculum. Utah's public charter schools must teach the state's Core Curriculum, just like every other public school in Utah.

9. Charter schools are charged with developing innovative practices. One important purpose of charter schools is to give educators the freedom to try new strategies to inspire student achievement and the freedom to experiment with new and innovative ways of educating students, as long as the state standards continue to be met.

10. The Utah Board of Education can revoke school charters. Founders, those who start charter schools, set forth their goals and operating procedures in a contract, or charter, that is reached with either their local school district of the State Board of Education. If a particular school is not living up to its charter or is not meeting state standards, the state can revoke that school's charter and close the school.

About Charter Schools
The goal of charter schools is to provide additional educational options with quality outcomes for students and parents. Charter schools are public schools open to all students. They operate on public funds without tuition. They also vary widely across the United States. The Utah Charter Schools website (http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/charterschools/) describes some of the unique qualities of charter schools in Utah. For comprehensive information on charter schools nationally - including technical assistance and research - the U.S. Charter Schools website (www.uscharterschools.org) is a good place to begin. For periodic updates on federal legislation and policy of interest to charter schools, the Charter Friends National Network website (www.charterfriends.org ) is a good resource.

What are charter schools?
Charter schools are independent public schools sponsored by the Utah State Office of Education. They operate on three basic principles:
• Accountability: Charter schools are judged on 1) how well they meet the student achievement goals established by their charter and 2) how well they manage the fiscal and operational responsibilities entrusted to them. If they fail to deliver, they are closed.
• Choice: Through increased involvement by parents, smaller school size, and a board governed by parents and educators, charter schools often better meet the needs of students.
• Autonomy: Charter schools are free from some traditional regulations that divert a school's energy and resources. This allows educators to focus more on setting and reaching high academic standards for their students.

Are charter schools subject to the same laws and regulations as other public schools?
As a general rule, yes. Laws regarding religion in schools, school fees and tuition, health and safety, civil rights, annual reports, and most other matters are the same. Charter schools may only employ educators who hold valid teaching certificates and who meet State Board requirements.

Do charter schools take money from public schools?
Charter schools are public schools. If a child leaves a traditional public school for a charter school, the money follows that child.

How are charter schools financed?
As a public school, charter schools receive revenue per pupil according to state guidelines. A charter school may not charge tuition or require students or parents to make donations and is subject to the same rules regarding school fees as other public schools.

How do charter schools offer enhanced academic programs with the same (or fewer) resources than traditional public schools?
Through the combined efforts, creativity, and hard work of dedicated parents, teachers, and administrators.

May a charter school limit its enrollment to certain students?
No. A charter school is part of the public education system and is open to all students, without discrimination, on the same basis as other public schools. If the number of applicants exceeds the available capacity of the grade levels within the school, students will be selected at random by lottery. Enrollment preferences are extended for children of founders and siblings of enrolled students.

If one of my children is drawn in the lottery, will all my children be accepted?
The sibling preference assures that siblings will be given priority in the applicant pool. Due to varying demand among grade levels, it is possible there will be times that not all children of a family will be concurrently enrolled.

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